Revisiting Independence: 78 Years Since Liberation from Colonial Rule

A seminar marking the 78th anniversary of liberation from colonial rule was held on Thursday at the Institute of Modern Languages Auditorium, University of Dhaka. Titled "Revisiting Independence: 78 Years Since Liberation from Colonial Rule," the event was jointly organized by the research and intellectual publishing initiatives Ishtihar and Silsila.

The discussion began at 3:30 p.m. and featured distinguished academics and researchers who reflected on the history of colonial rule, the significance of independence, and the contemporary challenges of achieving genuine liberation.

The speakers included Dr. Nurul Islam Monjur, Professor in the Department of History at Jahangirnagar University; Dr. Fahmid-ur-Rahman, writer and public intellectual; and Dr. Bilal Hossain, Professor in the Department of History at Jagannath University.

The seminar was chaired by Dr. Md. Alamgir, former Professor of the Department of Islamic History and Civilization at the Asian University of Bangladesh.

The speakers observed that colonial rule brought about a profound paradigm shift in the political and economic structures of the Indian subcontinent. At its core were economic exploitation, cultural distortion, and the colonization of knowledge. They argued that, even more than seven decades after independence, these colonial legacies continue to persist in various forms. Overcoming them, they emphasized, requires the reconstruction of historical consciousness, the pursuit of justice, and the restoration of cultural dignity.

Following the presentations, audience members participated in an interactive question-and-answer session.

The event was moderated by Siddique Akbar, representing Ishtihar, while Mahfuz Elahi attended on behalf of Silsila. The organizers expressed the hope that initiatives of this kind would help raise awareness among younger generations about the true meaning of independence and the enduring impact of colonial rule, while also contributing to the articulation of a vision for overcoming its legacies.