‘Clarify why you distorted historic facts’

Sector Commanders’ Forum (SCF) yesterday called upon Air Vice-Marshal (retd) AK Khandker to clarify why and on which vested quarter’s provocation he “distorted historic facts” in his book “1971: Bhitore Baire”.

In a statement, SCF said, “We also call upon AK Khandker to correct distortion of other historic facts and inconsistencies which were included in the book.”

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“Because, to safeguard the nation’s glorious history of independence, anti-liberation elements’ secret plots should be made clear before the nation,” it said.

The signatories of the statement are: SCF Chairman Maj Gen (retd) KM Shafiullah, its Vice Chairman Lt Col (retd) Abu Osman Chowdhury, and Secretary General Haroon Habib.

Making a formal apology for “error” in the book on Saturday, Khandker, deputy chief of staff of liberation forces in 1971, said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in his historic March 7 speech never said “Joy Pakistan”.

The former AL planning minister said protests started across the country against a particular part on page 32 and “some other content” of the book after it was published in August 2014.

“I believe many patriotic citizens were shocked because of this particular part. However, this part was incorporated in my book, the responsibility of such misinformation is mine, and Bangabandhu in his March 7 speech never said the two words, ‘Joy Pakistan’,” Khandker said in his statement.

“So, I am withdrawing that whole paragraph … and simultaneously, I apologise to the entire nation and Bangabandhu’s departed soul,” he added.

Following his apology, publishing house Prothoma Prokashon withdrew the book from market on Sunday.