In outreach to Bangladesh PM, India hails his father's 1971 address

DHAKA: India on Saturday recalled the historic radio broadcast of former Bangladesh President Zia-ur-Rahman, in which he, invoking Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, proclaimed the country's independence and called upon the people to resist the Pakistan army amid a military crackdown marked by widespread killings and mass atrocities.

On the occasion of Zia's 45th death anniversary, India remembered Zia, father of current PM Tarique Rahman, and his famous radio address of March 1971, describing him as one of the bravest sons of the nation.

"As the people of Bangladesh gather today in memory of one of their nation's bravest sons - Shaheed President Zia-ur-Rahman, Bir Uttam - we recall his famous radio address of March 1971, which electrified the masses, inspired them on a path of resistance against oppression and led to national liberation," said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka in a message.

"Today, as then, India stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Bangladesh in a saga of shared sacrifices and a common journey towards progress and prosperity," added the message.

As Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared the independence of Bangladesh, resistance began in Chittagong city and many other areas. On behalf of Bangabandhu, Maj Zia-ur-Rahman, at 7:45pm on March 27, made a radio broadcast from Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra in Kalurghat, north of Chittagong city.
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