It is harder to preserve independence than to achieve it. In these 53 years, those who couldn’t protect the independence of 1971 are responsible for losing it. The national anthem can be changed; yes, it can. The national flag, the national flower, the national bird, even the name of the country can be changed. And they might give reasons for doing so, or they might not. Because it’s their choice. The opposition will never care about the opinion of the other side, whether it’s an individual, a group, a society, or a state. In no case will they care. This is natural when the question of achieving independence arises.
In 2024, those who achieved independence, what did they achieve independence for? Did they free the country by fighting against corruption? Did they free the country by opposing tyranny? Did they achieve independence against killings, disappearances, or murders? Corruption existed before, tyranny existed before, killings, disappearances, and murders all existed before. Even then, the downfall of tyranny happened, but no one called it independence. Because simply after the fall of a tyrant, the question of changing the national anthem, national flag, or national flower does not arise.
The truth is, in 1971, not everyone wanted independence. Even then, there were different opinions. They were a minority and didn’t gain the majority at that time. But now they have gained the majority. They had dedication, they had determination, they had effort, they had strategy, and so they succeeded. But those who lacked dedication, unity, honesty, or commitment to protect independence—they lost it. Losing independence after having gained it is far more painful than not achieving it at all, because when independence is lost, subjugation returns with double the force. Therefore, in the pursuit of independence, the ability to preserve it must be assessed first, whether it concerns an individual or a nation.
Politics is a game of truth and lies. It is a game of power, nothing else. Nothing is permanent; everything is relative. In the shift of power, a country like Iran is on the verge of changing from “The Islamic Republic of Iran” to simply “The Republic of Iran.” In these cases, it is the common people’s feelings and emotions that are most exploited. The emotions accumulated over days, months, and years are hurt and shattered.
When Zia Udyan is renamed Chandrima Udyan, we feel hurt. When 32 No. house catches fire, we feel hurt. When shrines, mosques, or temples are broken, we feel hurt. When communal hatred arises, we feel hurt. In the change of power, we mostly feel hurt; events that bring us joy are very few. And those who directly engage in the transfer of power benefit eventually, sooner or later. So I say, whether the government changes, the country becomes independent, or parties switch, whatever happens, we ordinary people don’t benefit much. That’s why, if we common people express a few words out of our feelings, and if it goes for or against the powerful, I humbly request you to be a bit tolerant. We, the ordinary people, are utterly helpless in front of power and politics.