Dhaka Tribune: Why did you lead the march to Ganabhaban?
Sohel Taj: Not only as a responsible citizen but as a child of Tajuddin Ahmad and Syeda Zohra Tajuddin, I made these demands to focus on the real history of our Liberation War. It is already late, why not start now?
After the assassination of Bangabandhu and his family members on August 15, 1975, four national leaders of the country, including my father, were brutally killed inside prison. Then Ziaur Rahman formed a military dictatorship, Ershad took over the power, and after that BNP came into power. We cannot make these demands from those regimes that distorted the history of our country.
Almost 12 years passed, and we have celebrated 50 years of Bangladesh, but still we have failed to prepare a complete history of the Liberation War. Bangabandhu is the Father of the Nation he is above all, but apart from Bangabandhu the national four leaders played a very important role in our Liberation War. The next generation also can get inspiration from their life and dedication. Is my demand so illogical to showcase the nation's four leaders' life sketches from the state level? November 3 should be commemorated as a state day and April 10 as the country's republic day so that the next generation can know about the significance of April 10. Are my demands illogical? I think people should ask why Sohel Taj has to raise these demands and why it was not settled earlier.
Dhaka Tribune: What are your thought on April 17, the historical Mujibnagar day?
Sohel Taj: I think we are busy with some other work and forgot our foundation. A recently published survey by the Bangladesh Institute of Law and International Affairs found that the students answered Bangabandhu, Khaleda Zia, Sheikh Hasina, and Ershad as the four national leaders!
If we think of Bangabandhu as a table, he needs some pillars. If we want to showcase Bangabandhu, we have to showcase his four pillars as well. The text and syllabus in primary school classes are very poor and limited. The scenario is devastating!
I think we should give more focus on April 17, a historic day when the first government of Bangladesh took its oath. If we think about the US, civic history is a must for all. But in Bangladesh, the education system teaches history poorly.
Dhaka Tribune: Why not go directly to the prime minister? Was the march a political move?
Sohel Taj: If I wanted to make a political move, I could say right now before your camera that I will compete for the general secretary post in the next national council of the Awami League. But what I have done was totally my personal initiative and the prime minister received it in a very good manner. I think I practiced my democratic rights as a citizen.
Dhaka Tribune: What is your take on public demand for you to be the next general secretary of Awami League?
Sohel Taj: I have never been an outsider to Awami League, I cannot go outside of Awami League. Awami League is in my blood. My father and my mother both dedicatedly worked till their last breaths for Awami League and this country. I can never betray this party, but I am worried about it.
Dhaka Tribune: Why are you worried?
Sohel Taj: The party leadership needs some quality. If we remember the old days, who were on the presidium of the Awami League? Just remember those names. All of them were quality people who dedicated their lives to this party, and none of them practiced politics with the goal of making some quick money.
Dhaka Tribune: What are your suggestions for Awami League, as the next party council is due to be held in December?
Sohel Taj: I think people who have the quality and political depth to think ahead for the party and country are qualified for the party presidium and central working committee. We have some other tiers of the party, and some other people who labour for the party can settle in those tiers.
Those who have transparent and clean images and right now are not in party posts need to included. I will compare Awami League's general secretary with such great people as Tajuddin Ahmad, Zillur Rahman, Abdul Jalil, Syed Ashraful Islam. I will compare party presidium members with Syeda Zohora Tajuddin, Sajeda Chowdhury, Matia Chowdhury, Tofail Ahmed, Mohammad Nasim, Amir Hossain Amu, Sahara Khatun. The party leadership needs to be of that calibre.
Dhaka Tribune: What if Awami League chooses you for any party post?
Sohel Taj: Right now, I am not prepared to give this answer. Recently, I led these marches to secure the complete history of Bangladesh. If I want to do politics, I can do it anytime. I have my following in Awami League, as my family sacrificed their lives for this party. I don't have a crore of money to spend, I am trying to live a healthy life by earning some legal income and giving awareness to people about their health and body through my gym.
Dhaka Tribune: What are your plans for the next general election?
Sohel Taj: in the last two elections I did not participate but I worked for my sister who contested from Gazipur-4. Another thing I would like to clarify, I don't know why people said that I reside out of the country. For the last 7 or 8 years, I have been in Bangladesh. I have communication with my people in Kapasia, Gazipur.
My party is governing the country and I do not think they have any need for me right now, and that is why I am busy with my personal work. I am hopeful that they will do well in the next election. I am always with the party and if Awami League faces any threats, I will be on the frontlines to protect the party.
