Major Ziaur Rahman was a military figure, yet his contribution to the Bangladesh Liberation War cannot be undervalued. He galvanized the entire nation with just a few words, "We Revolt," broadcasted from Chittagong's Kalurghat Betar Kendra, mobilizing people across the country towards the cause of liberation. Credit must be attributed to him for etching that historic moment. Instead of solely asserting his name, Major Zia called for resistance against the illegitimate Pakistani regime, invoking the name of Bangabandhu. Subsequently, the first military brigade of the Mukti Bahini, integral to the War of Independence, was formed as the Z Force, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Ziaur Rahman, with approval from the Provisional Government of Bangladesh.

In an interview with Bangla Outlook, Haider Akbar Khan Rono, a praesidium member of the Bangladesh Communist Party and a valiant freedom fighter, assessed the statesmanship of Ziaur Rahman. Elected as a praesidium member of the Communist Party of Bangladesh in 2012, he, despite his current illness, managed to carve out time for the interview.

Regarding Ziaur Rahman, Haider Akbar Khan Rono remarked, "We had comprehended and opposed Bangabandhu's expenditure on Bakshal. Zia, from the army barracks, ushered in multi-party democracy in the nation. The Awami League cannot refute this reality. However, I do not advocate to allow religion-based politics in the country or the inclusion of 'Bismillah' in the constitution."

Bangla Outlook: Could you provide insight into the January national elections in Bangladesh and India's elections, as well as the 'Boycott India' movement in the country?

Hyder Akbar Khan Rono: Given my current physical condition and lack of active involvement in politics, the stance of my party reflects my views on this matter. I am affiliated with the Bangladesh Communist Party. Therefore, the party's official statement represents my opinion. I prefer not to delve into discussions regarding another country's elections, particularly those of our neighbour, India. However, it's worth noting that the ruling BJP is widely regarded as a highly reactionary party, having secured the government in India on multiple occasions. As for my past affiliations, I once maintained an amicable relationship with the CPIM, though that is no longer the case. Regarding the 'Boycott India' movement, my party has issued a statement, but I choose not to comment further on this topic.

Bangla Outlook: How is your health now?

Haider Akbar Khan Rono: I contracted COVID-19 during the epidemic in the country. I spent 13 days in the hospital ICU. Sadly, two patients in the adjacent beds succumbed to the illness. On the seventh day, the doctor informed me that my chances of survival were slim. Brigadier Nasim of Dhaka Medical College provided exceptional care during my stay. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina personally inquired about my well-being and sent a thoughtful gesture of a basket of mangoes and litchis. Unfortunately, I was unable to partake in them due to my illness.

Bangla Outlook: Could you share some childhood memories of Kolkata?

Haider Akbar Khan Rono: My memories of Kolkata are filled with both joyous and sorrowful events. I was born in 1942, and one significant event etched in my mind is the declaration of 'Direct Action' by Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the leader of the Muslim League, on August 16, 1946. I was merely four years old at the time. Our family resided at 66 Bhaitak Khana Road, Ahmed Street in Kolkata, which became the first target during the attacks instigated by Muslim extremists, not Hindu radicals, as is often assumed. Subsequently, our home faced further assaults, allegedly orchestrated by Hossain Shaheed Suhrawardy, the ideological mentor of the Awami League. During these attacks, my father happened to be in America pursuing higher education, as he was sponsored by the British Indian Government. He served as an engineer in the government. If it weren't for the timely intervention of the police, our entire family might have perished. The assailants targeted our house due to my grandfather's affiliation with the Congress party and his opposition to the idea of Pakistan's creation. Fortunately, a few boys from the neighbourhood alerted the police about the impending attack, leading to our rescue. However, I also witnessed instances where Hindus were involved in violence, such as the burning of the Calcutta bazaar and the sight of individuals wielding knives and swords. Eventually, my father returned from America and decided to relocate our family to Barisal due to the escalating communal tensions, marked by horrific Hindu-Muslim riots with Muslims targeting Hindus.

Bangla Outlook: Any more memories from Kolkata?

Haider Akbar Khan Rano: I was at the age of reading short stories. I saw Comrade Mozaffar Ahmed and his daughter in our house on Baithak Khana Road. I also saw Jyoti Basu. Later, I saw them in different contexts. I have written about these experiences in my book 'Shatabdi Periye'. The riot of 1950 was much bigger than the riot of 1946. There is a book by Jaya Chatterjee on Hindu-Muslim riots in 1946. Devesh Roy has written a novel about the riots in Barisal titled 'Barisal er Jogen Mandal'.

Bangla Outlook: Rashed Khan will comment on Menon.

Hyder Akbar Khan Rono: I first met Rashed Khan Menon in 1952 at Jessore District School when we were in fifth grade. Our journey together has been long. We walked hand in hand through many challenges. We developed a personal friendship over the years. However, during the 2008 elections, when the Awami League coalition government came into power, our political views diverged. The Workers Party, being a Communist Party, had its ideology. Menon's inclination towards the boat symbol, abandoning our party's emblem, created a rift between us. I opposed this decision vehemently. I couldn't accept compromising our party's identity in any way. The decision to align with the Awami League had been made earlier by our Central Committee, but it was agreed that we would maintain our distinct identity. When Menon insisted on choosing the boat symbol, I had no choice but to part ways and join the Bangladesh Communist Party.

Bangla Outlook: Could you comment on Rashed Khan Menon's role as an MP in the government often labelled as dictatorial?

Haider Akbar Khan Rono: (Laughing) I'd rather refrain from commenting on that. Menon and I share a personal friendship, but our political paths differ. Rashed Khan Menon's involvement is discussed in my book.

Bangla Outlook: What are your thoughts on the Awami League government's prolonged tenure being likened to a dictatorship?

Haider Akbar Khan Rono: My party's stance on this issue is outlined in our official statements. (Laughing) I understand that your questions have been reduced for not giving political statements.

Bangla Outlook: Bangabandhu's renowned speech on March 7 reportedly included the slogan "Pakistan Zindabad." What's your take on this?

Hyder Akbar Khan Rono: Bangabandhu's historic speech on March 7 was a moment of exceptional brilliance. At that time, he was campaigning for the election in Pakistan. As he aspired to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan, it was only natural for him to express allegiance with "Pakistan Zindabad." So, his focus would have been solely on that sentiment. Now, it seems that the speech has been edited to include the phrase "Joi Bangla." I believe such an addition was unnecessary.

Bangla Outlook: Did you have any encounters with Ziaur Rahman during the liberation war?

Hyder Akbar Khan Rono: Yes, Menon, Kazi Zafar, and I had the opportunity to meet Ziaur Rahman, Khaled Musharraf, and Shafiullah in India. During our meetings, there were extensive discussions regarding the war strategy for the liberation of our country. They provided invaluable assistance by supplying weapons. It's often wrongly stated that Zia didn't participate in battles, but that's entirely untrue. We obtained most of our weapons either through combat or from the Pakistani Army. Our group comprised 23 thousand freedom fighters, with 100 of them sacrificing their lives for the cause. We engaged in battles across 14 different locations throughout Bangladesh, including Chittagong, Narsingdi, Munshiganj, Tangail, and Barisal.

Bangla Outlook: Were you very close to Bangabandhu?

Hyder Akbar Khan Rono: I wouldn't say I was particularly close to Bangabandhu. I never officially joined his team, although there was mutual respect between us. Bangabandhu was primarily a nationalist leader, and one hallmark of nationalist leaders is their unwillingness to easily capitulate. This trait is evident in nationalist leaders worldwide; for instance, Sukarno of Indonesia and Nasser of Egypt exhibited similar characteristics. Had Bangabandhu not been released from prison, it's unlikely that the Indian army would have withdrawn from Dhaka after independence. However, I don't agree with his decision to establish a one-party state, known as Bakshal, in the country. Many people perceive him as being pro-India, and some instances support this view.

Bangla Outlook: What do you envision for the future of Bangladesh?

Hyder Akbar Khan Rono: Currently, the outlook for Bangladesh, as well as the world at large, appears grim. We're witnessing the rise of fundamentalism and authoritarianism globally. There's a noticeable absence of socialism on the world stage, with neither Russia nor China maintaining official socialist policies. However, the end of human history has not been decreed yet. Despite the challenges, I remain optimistic. In his final speech titled 'Crisis of Civilization,' Rabindranath Tagore asserted that it's a sin to lose faith in people, a sentiment I share. Similarly, Ernest Hemingway's book on the Spanish Civil War, "The Sun Also Rises," suggests that despite setbacks, hope persists. So, I maintain my trust in the resilience of humanity. American political scientist Francis Fukuyama famously proclaimed "The End of History," but I believe that history continues to unfold.

Bangla Outlook: Thank you for granting an interview to Bangla Outlook despite your physical challenges.

Haider Akbar Khan Rono: You're welcome.