Chattogram, Aug 19 (V7N) – The historic Zia Memorial Complex in Chattogram's Bahaddarhat area, which was renamed by the ousted Awami League government, has finally regained its original name following a notification from the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs.
Established in 2006 under the BNP-led alliance government, the 'Zia Memorial Complex' was built to honor Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. However, shortly after the Awami League assumed power in 2009, it was renamed 'Swadhinata Complex'.
During a visit to historical sites in Chattogram on June 6, Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan addressed the matter, saying, "The name of the 'Zia Memorial Complex' was changed to 'Swadhinata Complex' during the fascist regime, which reflects a politics of vengeance. It will be restored to 'Shaheed Zia Memorial Complex' through the initiative of the Liberation War Affairs Ministry."
On August 12, the Development Wing of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs officially re-designated the complex as 'Zia Memorial Complex' via a notification, stating that the complex located in the historic Kalurghat area would now be referred to by its original name.
Alhaj Ershad Ullah, BNP convener for Chattogram city and MP for the Chattogram-8 constituency, said, "On behalf of the Metropolitan BNP, we had submitted a request to the ministry to restore the name of the Zia Memorial Complex. Consequently, the ministry has implemented this change."
He added, "The BNP government at that time constructed this complex on a previously abandoned site adjacent to the Kalurghat Betar Center. This site features replicas of all significant historical and traditional establishments of Bangladesh, and it also serves as an excellent entertainment venue for the residents of Chattogram. However, the former Awami fascist government altered its name to Swadhinata Complex as part of a political vendetta aimed at erasing the legacy of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman."
"The people of Chittagong have always referred to it as the 'Zia Smriti Complex.' Despite the previous government's name change, the local populace has never acknowledged it by that name and has consistently called it the Zia Complex," MP Ershad Ullah noted.
He further stated that until the mass uprising on August 5, 2024, the park was operated under a lease by an organization owned by the brother of a former Awami League MP. Following the collapse of the government, agitated individuals invaded the park, resulting in the vandalism of several establishments, and the park has remained closed since.
The BNP government established the 'Zia Smriti Complex' in 2006 on a 16.37-acre plot adjacent to the Kalurghat Radio Center, constructed at an expense of approximately Tk 56 crore and inaugurated on August 29, 2006, by then Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
To showcase the country's historical and heritage sites in a compact form, miniature replicas of significant landmarks were created within the complex, including the National Parliament Building, Ahsan Manzil, Curzon Hall, Lalbagh Fort, Kantjiu Temple and Paharpur Buddhist Monastery. A 71-meter revolving tower with a restaurant was also erected to honor the Liberation War of 1971 and the Language Movement of 1952, earning the site the designation 'Mini Bangladesh'.
The district administration has indicated that the lease agreement with the private entity that managed the park concluded on December 9 of the previous year.
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