Archive for history of people’s struggle for liberation urged

Dhaka University professor emeritus Serajul Islam Choudhury on Friday urged that an archive should be set up to preserve history of the people’s struggle for liberation since 1757.
‘Aversion to the study of history is observed nowadays…Ruling class is afraid of history…May be they lacks glorious history to present,’ Serajul Islam said at a discussion on his book.
He also said that sterility created by lack of free thinking and cultural exercise was the perfect ground for growing extremism.
‘There is a serious lack of cultural exchanges among the boys and girls and debate or knowledge building exercises…Thus, sterility has been created which is a nourishing space for growing militants,’ he added.
Sanghati Prokashan that published his book ‘Jatiyatabad, Sampradayikata O Janaganer Mukti: 1905–47’ organised the discussion on the book at Bangla Academy auditorium.
The ceremony, also meant to pay tribute to the author on his 80th birth anniversary on June 23, brought together noted academics and journalists.
Language Movement hero Ahmad Rafique, also author of several books on the movement, chaired the discussion, which was also addressed by Dhaka University professor Syed Manzoorul Islam, economist Anu Muhammad, Bangla Academy director general Shamsuzzaman Khan, Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam, Eminent cultural personality and film director Nasir Uddin Yousuf Bachchu, professors Azfar Hussain and Nasim Akhtar Hossain, New Age editor Nurul Kabir and Ganasanghati Andolan chief coordinator Zonayed Saki
They said that the book showed how people’s freedom was suppressed under the influence of the politics of nationalism and communalism. They also praised Serajul’s book based on the history of Bengal from 1905 to 1947 for focusing on the insight of the development of nationalism and communalisation and how ruling class manipulated people’s aspiration for freedom ahead of partition of the Indian sub-continent.
Syed Manzoorul Islam said that creating new knowledge and space for raising question in the society remained missing at this time.
Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam urged all to find out why the country again and again fell under the darkness of communalism.
Anu Muhammad stressed the need for democratic space for addressing the grievances of young people. He said that there was lack of space and opportunities for the youths to flourish what they want were limited.
Golbal Centre for Advanced Studies vice-president Azfar Hussain, also professor of English, said that the book was an epic study of history spanning from 1905 to 1947 that particularly analysed the failure of nationalist movement led by leaders coming from privilege class. ‘For the emancipation of the people we need politics based on genuine people’s interest,’ he added.
Nurul Kabir stressed on politics of historiography and said people’s perspective analysing facts of history was the most important components of writing history for the democratic emancipation of people. He observed that Serajul Islam’s book was an intellectual embodiment of rewriting history from people’s perspective and the book was important for those pursuing politics of people’s liberation.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net