DHAKA : Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, today stressed the need for properly documenting and presenting the true history of Bangladesh's Liberation War, saying many significant chapters of the war remain unknown to the people.

"Many of those who assumed state power after independence did not want to present the true history of the Liberation War before the people. As a result, countless incidents, sacrifices and acts of heroism during the War remained unknown to the general public. That history must be accurately documented and presented before the people," he said.

The Acting President made the remarks while delivering the chief guest's speech at the celebration of the 54th Commissioning and Fellowship Day of the Bangladesh Liberation War Courses at Kurmitola Golf Club in Dhaka Cantonment today.

The Bangladesh Liberation War Courses Foundation organised the programme.

Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said efforts were made after independence to create a perception that Bangladesh achieved independence solely through a few speeches.

"In reality, however, countless young people, sons and daughters of ordinary families and soldiers sacrificed their lives to achieve the country's independence," he said.

He said the Great Liberation War was a struggle to establish democracy, human dignity, equal rights and a discrimination-free state.

"Even after five decades of independence, that dream has not been fully realised," he said, adding that the July Mass Uprising carried out by the people of the country was also an expression of their aspiration to establish democracy.

He urged the new generation to learn how Bangladesh achieved independence and what dreams the freedom fighters had and called upon young people to work to realise those dreams and build a happy, prosperous and democratic Bangladesh.

"No autocratic rule should ever emerge again in the country. Under no circumstances should the democratic system be destroyed," he said.

"The great Liberation War of 1971 was a war of the common people, a war for establishing democracy and a struggle to secure the people's voting rights, human dignity and equal rights," he added.

The Acting President said the patriotism and willingness of the freedom fighters to sacrifice their lives were their greatest strengths. "It was not the war of any political party; rather, the Liberation War began as a consequence of trampling democracy by disregarding the people's verdict," he added.

He noted that the then Pakistani ruling authorities ignored the people's mandate despite the 1970 election, in which the people of this country had given their verdict in favour of regional autonomy based on the Six-Point Programme.

Referring to the contribution of military officers to the Liberation War, he said that after the Pakistani army launched genocide and brutal repression against unarmed people, Bengali soldiers and officers of the East Bengal Regiment and the East Pakistan Rifles (EPR) declared rebellion and began armed resistance.

Recalling the sacrifices of the people during the Liberation War, he said many were eager to join the battlefield despite harsh living conditions, limited food and an uncertain future.

"When many of them could not be selected due to physical fitness requirements, they broke down in tears and lay down in front of his vehicle, pleading for an opportunity to fight for the country by participating in the war," he said.

He described such incidents as a unique and glorious chapter in the history of the Liberation War.

Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said if members of the East Bengal Regiment and the EPR had not revolted against the Pakistani forces in March 1971, the situation could have been different.

"Battalions of the East Bengal Regiment established resistance at different cantonments across the country and under the leadership of a limited number of soldiers, thousands of students and youths joined the Liberation War," he said.

Highlighting the selfless sacrifice of the freedom fighters, he said they did not fight for personal recognition or credit but took up arms to protect the existence of the country, the lives of the people and the honour of mothers and sisters.

The Pakistani rulers had believed that Bengalis would not be able to fight, but Bengali soldiers and freedom fighters proved that assumption wrong through their courage, skill and sacrifice, he said.

Recalling his wartime experiences, the Acting President said that on the instruction of the Commander-in-Chief, he recruited youths from different youth camps to form a new battalion, while thousands of school and college students in camps along the border areas were waiting for an opportunity to fight for the country.

He also elaborately recalled the contributions and sacrifices of the fearless military and civilian people during the War of Independence.

Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said that after independence, while undergoing military training abroad, he used to describe the bravery displayed by the freedom fighters in battles, including the Battle of Kamalpur, which astonished foreign military instructors.

He said the instructors had commented that such attacks would not have been possible even for a professional force and that only people prepared to sacrifice their lives for their country could demonstrate such extraordinary courage.

Describing the formation of the Bangladesh Army after independence, he said the force was small in 1972, but its greatest strength was its indomitable spirit and willingness to sacrifice lives for the country.

On the occasion, the Acting President recalled the significant contributions and strong leadership of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, saying that Ziaur Rahman's declaration of Bangladesh's independence deeply inspired and motivated the people of the country during the Liberation War.

Paying profound respect to former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, he recalled that the Pakistani occupation forces had also arrested her during the Liberation War.

The Acting President stressed the importance of properly documenting these accounts and preserving them for future generations.

He expressed hope that the present and future generations would uphold the spirit of the Liberation War and build a discrimination-free, democratic and prosperous Bangladesh.

Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan attended the function as the special guest, while Major A. Matin Chowdhury delivered the welcome address.

Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Air Staff of the Bangladesh Air Force Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan and Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Khondkar Misbah Ul Azim also addressed the event.