"Redefining Legacy: From Father of the Nation to Architects of the State"

The bloody uprising of 2024 was born from the desire to eradicate inequality and establish true equality. In the state system, we inherited after 1971, I've come to believe that achieving genuine political equality and eliminating disparities requires us to move beyond the notion of a single figure as the "Father of the Nation." Instead, we should honor the idea of "Architects of the State," recognizing those who played pivotal roles in the liberation war. This approach allows us to remember and celebrate each individual's contribution to our independence. The concepts of "nation" and "state" hold distinct meanings. The Bengali nation existed long before the birth of Bangladesh, so there should be no confusion about who the architects of our state are. Suppose we were to depict these great individuals visually, based on their historic contributions during various moments of the liberation war. In that case, the following figures might be considered as architects of our state:

1. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

2. Maulana Bhashani

3. Tajuddin Ahmad

4. Commander-in-Chief of the Liberation War, Ataul Gani Osmani

5. Major Ziaur Rahman

Apart from those who were identified as collaborators, I believe, and many share this belief, that everyone who supported the liberation war—whether they fought on the battlefield or offered their unwavering support—deserves to be called a freedom fighter. There should be no confusion here. We must educate our future generations about the true heroes of our liberation, placing them at the heart of our history, and drawing inspiration from their sacrifices. The contributions of the Bir Sreshtho, Bir Uttom, Bir Bikrom, and Bir Protik must be highlighted in our textbooks so that the true spirit of the liberation war is preserved and never diluted. The fewer disagreements we have over these sensitive issues, the greater the unity we'll achieve among the people of our nation. May the Almighty grant us the wisdom to understand and embrace this.

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This piece is entirely the author's personal opinion. Those who seek political reform may find it worth contemplating.

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Written at 1:20 AM, August 15, 2024