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OPINION OCTOBER 04, 2024 | The Indian Eye 10

Charting A New Narrative:

Redrawing History and

Politics in Bangladesh

With the August uprising in Bangladesh, a new narrative is being written, history and politics of the nation are
being re-drawn. Will this new narrative bring forth a better tomorrow for the people of Bangladesh?

DR. DHRUBAJYOTI BHATTACHARJEE

n the past, whenever there has
been a change of governance
Iin Bangladesh, the incumbent
government made attempts to glo-
rify specific individuals or events,
while demonizing others. This has
involved changing the name of air-
ports, government policies, buildings
and institutions and extracting or in-
cluding specific narratives in school
textbooks. However, Bangladesh
today, under the governance of an
interim government, is witnessing
the redrawing of Bangladeshi history
and politics, building a new narrative
that might impact the common na-
tional identity of the masses and the
nation.

From the month of August,
some major events have been
organized or policies adapted,
creating this new narrative. For

the first time in independent
Bangladesh, the 76th death an-
niversary of Muhammad Ali Jin-
nah was commemorated by the Regime changes have always been followed with attempts on re-writing history and this is what is being witnessed

Nawab Salimullah Academy at in Bangladesh now (File photo/ANI)
the National Press Club in Dha-
ka on 11 September 2024. from the Nagorik Parishad elucidat- guage. From 1948, students in East mother tongue in Dhaka, leading
ed the crucial role that Jinnah played Pakistan had agitated to protest the to the killing of students on the uni-
in the creation of East Pakistan and omission of the Bengali language versity campus on 21 February 1952
Several speakers emphasized Bangladesh, enumerating how India from official use. On March 1948, by armed police forces. This day
Jinnah’s crucial role in the creation remained to be an obstacle and chal- Jinnah faced strong protests during has been celebrated as the National
of Pakistan and Pakistan’s positive lenge for Bangladesh all through. a speech in Dhaka clearly stating Martyr’s Day in Bangladesh; the UN
role in creating a unique identity for The event was attended by the Paki- that “Urdu, and only Urdu” was the recognized 21 February as Interna-
Bangladesh, stating that without Jin- stani Deputy High Commissioner. language that embodied the spirit of tional Mother’s Language Day from
nah, “Bangladesh too would not ex- One of the principal identities of the Muslim nations and Urdu will re- 1999. It is difficult to comprehend
ist”. The event saw speakers reciting the people of East Bengal, later East main as the state language. how demagogic policies would ben-
Urdu poetry and songs, a number of Pakistan and now Bangladesh, has Student protests continued for efit Bangladesh by glorifying the role
them dedicated to Jinnah. Speakers been the pride of their Bangla lan- the recognition of Bangla as the Continued on next page... >>

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