The Liberation War’s history is limited to the political dispute and armed struggle against the Pakistani occupation army and more focused on incidents occurring in cities than those in villages, said Professor Afsan Chowdhury on Monday, 25 March 2019.
Moreover, women have only been portrayed as victims deserving sympathy while their sacrifices always ignored, he said at Brac University’s (BracU) Mohakhali campus auditorium on the eve of Independence Day.
Based on research for the first time seeking the Liberation War’s complete picture, “Gramer Ekattor” tries to unveil stories of villagers who lost everything but still fought for life, he said while discussing his book.
The Liberation War was more crucial in villages, said Chowdhury, a teacher of the Department of English and Humanities (ENH), adding, “We opened the struggle of the Hindu minority in this book.”
The discussion on the book, launched at Amar Ekushey Grantha Mela this year by University Press Limited, was organised by the department. The event saw the screening of a documentary, “Village Warriors of 1971”, based on interviews in the book.
The book highlighted the condition and struggle of women and minority communities while giving a deep insight into the Liberation War in villages, the contribution of women and stories of refugee camps.
A group of young researchers helped the author complete his work. Among them, Fouzia Afroz, a BracU alumni, and Zakir Hossain Tomal were present to take part in the discussion.
Controller of Examinations Ahmed Ataul Hakeem FCMA, the department Chairperson Professor Firdous Azim and other faculty members, officials and students were present.
Professor Chowdhury received Bangla Academy Award 2018 for his contribution to Liberation War literature.