Reading out announcement not proclamation, says Hasan

CHATTOGRAM, July 30 (BSS): Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said on Tuesday there is a lot of difference between proclamation of independence and reading out its announcement.

The minister said the debate about the proclamation of independence started after the death of Ziaur Rahman who never claimed himself about the pronouncement of independence during his life time.

The information minister came up with the remarks while speaking at a discussion on 'Journey of 70 years of glory: Awami League in the thoughts of youth' at Shilpakala Academy auditorium in the port city.

Hasan said the declaration of independence made by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was read out by many. Of them, general secretary of Chattogram AL M A Hannan was first to make the announcement on Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra at Kalurghat on March 26, 1971 and later AL leaders decided to involve an army officer, as well. That was when Major Ziaur Rahman got involved. It was on March 27, 1971.

Dr Hasan Mahmud, also publicity and publication secretary of AL, said those who wanted to raise questions about proclamation of independence in fact intend to distort the true history of the country's Liberation War.