30 May - Ziaur Rahman death anniversary

 

Ziaur Rahman (1936-1981) was a prominent Bangladeshi military officer and politician. He served as the seventh President of Bangladesh from 1977 until his assassination in 1981. Ziaur Rahman played a significant role in the politics of Bangladesh and had a lasting impact on the country's history.

Born on January 19, 1936, in Bogra district, in what was then British India (now Bangladesh), Ziaur Rahman joined the Pakistan Army in 1953. He fought in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. During the liberation war, he was appointed the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Bangladesh Forces, and after the war, he joined the Bangladesh Army.

Ziaur Rahman became involved in politics during the 1970s when Bangladesh was under military rule. In 1975, he participated in a successful coup that removed the then-President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from power. Ziaur Rahman played a crucial role in forming the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and became its chairman.

In 1977, Ziaur Rahman assumed the presidency after winning a controversial election. As President, he focused on stabilizing the country, rebuilding the war-ravaged economy, and restoring civilian rule. He implemented various policies to promote economic development, including agricultural reforms and encouraging foreign investment. Ziaur Rahman also sought to consolidate his political position by creating a loyal base of support.

However, Ziaur Rahman's presidency was marked by political turmoil and internal divisions. He faced opposition from various groups, including left-wing political parties and factions within the military. Despite these challenges, he introduced several constitutional amendments, including the controversial Fifth Amendment, which granted immunity to the assassins of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Tragically, Ziaur Rahman's presidency was cut short when he was assassinated on May 30, 1981, in an attempted coup. His assassination plunged the country into further political instability and set off a series of events that shaped Bangladesh's political landscape in the subsequent years.