Md. Nurul Haque

Can you imagine what would happen if Sheikh Hasina, who has been in power for 15 consecutive years and has a strong legacy of trust as the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and a party chairperson for a long time, did not leave the country? Suppose the army and BGB had been so violent and intolerant to the uprising people and revolutionary students. What would have been the extent of the massacre and gravity of civil war in this small country while India was curious and, in the pleas, to come to the spot? The answers to these questions depended on the army chief, General Waker-uz-Zaman, patriotic middle-class officers, and ordinary soldiers who loved this country and people more than their lives.

General Waker-uz-Zaman assumed responsibility as the Bangladesh Army Chief on 23 June 2024. Soon after he assumed office, a popular uprising broke out in the country. Massive protests and agitations against Sheikh Hasina's government began, quickly becoming violent. In this situation, General Walker-uz-Zaman made an important decision.

He ordered the army to stand by the people and advised Sheikh Hasina to resign. After Sheikh Hasina resigned, General Waker-uz-Zaman helped her safely escape to India. This decision was so sage and timely that it saved the whole nation from a sea of blood and trauma. Because if Sheikh Hasina had been left in the country, the situation could have become worse, and more blood could have been shed. Indian army, who was lying in wait to come to the spot and occupy the country in the name of peace and harmony with the neighboring country and the independence of Bangladesh, could have plunged into a fathomless ocean that could not have been found again. As a result of her escape, peace and a sigh of relief returned to the government, and the army gained the people's confidence.

General Waker-uz-Zaman's tenure as the Army Chief, who began with his commission from the Bangladesh Military Academy in 1985, was marked by significant institutional changes. He led the army's transformation into a professional and empathetic force, a testament to his strategic insight and leadership.

His shrewd decisions and unwavering support for the people averted a potential crisis and significantly enhanced the army's reputation. His legacy will be remembered as pivotal in the chapter on Bangladesh's political history, instilling a sense of reassurance in the audience about his capabilities.

General Waker-uz-Zaman and Sheikh Hasina shared a unique and personal bond that added a layer of complexity to their professional relationship. His wife, Sarahnaz Kamalika Zaman, is Sheikh Hasina's cousin, a connection that deepened their trust. This personal bond, amidst their professional roles, added a unique layer of complexity to their interactions. During his extensive military career, General Waker-uz-Zaman served as the Chief Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Department under the Prime Minister's Office, where he collaborated closely with Sheikh Hasina.

The situation could have been worse if General Waker-uz-Zaman had stood by Sheikh Hasina. The country's people would have become more frustrated and angrier, and the violence would have escalated. This would threaten the stability and security of the country. Public confidence in the army would have been lost, and the country's international image damaged. General Waker-uz-Zaman saved the country's people through his intelligent leadership and prevented a counter-revolution. He ordered the army to stand by the people and maintain stability in the country. As a result of his action, peace returned to the country, and the people's confidence was gained.

Under the leadership of General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the image of the Bangladesh Army improved at home and abroad. His intelligent leadership and decision to stand by the people earned the army the confidence of the people. His action was also appreciated in international circles, and the Bangladesh Army became known as a professional and humanitarian force. Bangladesh went through a critical period under the leadership of General Waker-Uz-Zaman. By wise decisions and standing by the people, he saved the country's people and improved the army's image. This step will be an essential chapter in Bangladesh's political history, making the audience feel proud of his international recognition.

Under General Waker-uz-Zaman's leadership, the Bangladesh Army reached a new height and became known as a professional and humanitarian force. By making wise decisions and standing by the people, he saved the country's people and improved the army's image. This step will be marked as an essential chapter in Bangladesh's political history.

The Previous Army Chief, along with his brothers, tarnished the country's image at national and international levels for their alleged activities. Bangladesh's army has a glorious history of being loyal to the people and of an august presence in the global arena for peacekeeping in different troubled countries. However, this image was dashed when international reports revealed that the previous army chief had engaged in direct vote rigging and money laundering. In this circumstance, General Zaman had to face a critical time and situation, as he had to save the country's people, his army's reputation, and Sheik Hasina's life. But his bold and wise decision to stand by the people has saved them both. People and some critics comment that General Zaman has shown his nepotism to Sheikh Hasina. Still, I think he has saved the physical life of Hasina but has killed her political career forever and destroyed Bangladesh Awami League forever to its most tremendous loss and defeat.

Again, after the outbreak of floods in the Southeastern parts of Bangladesh, his presence and his army’s hard work and dedication to saving and rehabilitating the people won the hearts of thousands of people in the country. Again, bringing some critical changes in the army and overhauls has also proved his loyalty and patriotism for his country. A few days back, in an interview with Reuter, he said he would stand by the interim government whatever it happens, which has furthered his love and loyalty to the people and their wishes.

So, he is the army chief ever who has such an extent of loyalty and patriotism for his country and is so wise and humble in his behaviors that he has saved the country from imminent bloodshed, heightened the lost image of the army, and made a loving place in the core of the hearts of the people that will never be buried in forgetfulness.

The writer is an assistant professor of English and a PhD candidate at UPM.