Bangladesh: Bangladesh's National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has rolled out significant changes to school textbooks for the 2025 academic session, revising key accounts of the country's independence, the role of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and India's involvement in the 1971 Liberation War.

Mujib's Role Reduced, Zia Highlighted

Following Sheikh Hasina's removal from power in August 2024, the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has introduced revisions that strip Mujibur Rahman of his 'Father of the Nation' title. The updated textbooks credit Ziaur Rahman with announcing independence on March 26, 1971, with a follow-up message on behalf of Mujib the next day.

Defending the changes, NCTB Chairman Professor AKM Reazul Hassan stated that there was no verified evidence of Mujib issuing any wireless message declaring independence after his arrest by the Pakistani army, as per reports.

Indira Gandhi's Role in 1971 War Trimmed

The revised textbooks have also modified India's role in the 1971 war. While the contributions of the Indian Army and Mukti Bahini are still mentioned, two iconic photographs — one of Mujib with Indira Gandhi at a Kolkata rally (February 6, 1972) and another from Gandhi's visit to Dhaka (March 17, 1972) — have been removed. The new version further claims that Bhutan, not India, was the first to recognise Bangladesh's independence on December 3, 1971.

Sheikh Hasina Erased from Textbooks

Sheikh Hasina's name has been completely removed from Bangladesh’s new school textbooks, with her traditional student message replaced by graffiti from the July 2024 uprising. A panel of 57 experts appointed by the Education Ministry supervised the changes across 441 textbooks, with over 40 crore copies printed for 2025.

The revisions reflect Bangladesh's changing political climate under interim leader Muhammad Yunus, who has pledged elections by late 2025 or early 2026 after key reforms. Meanwhile, BNP chief Khaleda Zia warned of conspiracies by former ruling allies, urging unity, while acting BNP chairman Tarique Rahman criticised the interim government’s push for local elections ahead of national polls.

Sheikh Hasina, now in self-exile in India, faces an arrest warrant in Dhaka for alleged crimes against humanity. The interim government has also removed Mujibur Rahman’s image from currency, scrapped key national days, and vandalized his statues. While officials claim the textbook changes correct historical facts, critics call it a politically driven rewrite to erase Hasina’s legacy.