Zia Memorial Museum regains original name

The historic Zia Memorial Museum, situated in the Bahaddarhat area of Chattogram city, which was renamed by the ousted Awami League government, has finally regained its original name.

Established in 2006 under the BNP alliance government, the 'Zia Memorial Museum' honours 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, the current Liberation War Affairs Minister, Ahmed Azam Khan, addressed this matter.

He said, "The name of the 'Zia Memorial Museum' was changed to 'Swadhinata Complex' during the fascist regime, which reflects a politics of vengeance. It will be restored to 'Shaheed Zia Memorial Museum' through the initiative of the Liberation War Affairs Ministry." Consequently, on August 12, the Development Wing of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs officially re-designated the complex as 'Zia Memorial Museum' via a notification.

The name of the 'Zia Memorial Museum' was changed to 'Swadhinata Complex' during the fascist regime of Awami League. Photo: Md Emranul Haque

The notification stated, "The 'Swadhinata Complex' located in the historic Kalurghat area of Chattogram district (JL No.-09, BS Khatian No.-03, Dag No.-11838, land area-16.37 acres, Changaon Mouza under Panchlaish Upazila of Chattogram district) will now be referred to as 'Zia Memorial Museum'."

On March 24, the Ministry of Culture announced a plan aimed at preserving and developing the Kalurghat Radio Station, as well as honouring the memory of Shaheed Zia in Chattogram. In response to this announcement, Ershad Ullah, the BNP convener for Chattogram city and MP for the Chattogram-8 constituency, told BSS, "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."

"The BNP government at that time constructed this complex on a previously abandoned site adjacent to the Kalurghat Betar Center, which serves as the memorial for the martyred President Ziaur Rahman. 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 facade of Zia Memorial Museum. Photo: Ashraful Karim

MP Ershad Ullah added, "The people of Chattogram have always referred to it as the 'Zia Smriti Jadughor.' Despite the previous government's name change, the local populace has never acknowledged it by that name and has consistently called it the Zia museum."

"Notably, until the mass uprising of students and the public on August 5, 2024, the park was operated under a lease by an organisation owned by the brother of a member of parliament from the then Awami League (currently banned) government. Following the collapse of the government, numerous agitated individuals invaded the park that evening, resulting in the vandalism of several establishments. The park has remained closed since that incident."

The BNP government, at that time, established the 'Zia Smriti Jadughor' in 2006 on a 16.37-acre plot of land that had been abandoned by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, located adjacent to the Kalurghat Radio Centre and opposite the Bahaddarhat Bus Terminal in the city. This museum, which was constructed at an expense of approximately Tk 56 crore, was inaugurated on August 29, 2006, by the 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 Zia Memorial Museum. These replicas include the National Parliament Building, Ahsan Manzil, Curzon Hall, Lalbagh Fort, Kantjiu Temple, Baro Kuthi, Chhota Sona Mosque, and Paharpur Buddhist Monastery.

An aerial view of the Zia Memorial Museum in Chattogram. Photo: Niazuddin Sumon

A revolving tower has been erected to honour the monumental Liberation War of 1971 and the Language Movement of 1952; atop this tower is a restaurant. The structure stands 71 metres tall and has a diameter of 52 metres. As an entertainment venue, it provided visitors with the opportunity to learn about various historical sites in Bangladesh simultaneously, leading to its designation as 'Mini Bangladesh'.

As per the agreement regarding the park's construction, Concord Entertainment Group managed the facility until 2010 following its completion. Subsequently, the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) assumed operational responsibilities after securing a lease from the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs. Upon the lease's expiration in April 2015, the CCC expressed no interest in renewing it. Later, in November of the same year, a private entity acquired the lease for the complex. At that time, the entrance fee for the park was established at Tk 150.

One of the directors of the newly leased organisation is Helal Uddin, who serves as the vice-president of the city Swechchhasebak League and is the sibling of former MP Md Mohiuddin Bachchu. The district administration has indicated that the lease agreement with this organisation concluded on December 9 of the previous year.