Independence Day today

On March 25, 1971, a terrible, brutal and horrible dark night came in the life of Bengalis. It was not normal like any other day. When the Pakistani forces armed with sophisticated weapons pounced on the unarmed and sleeping Bengalis and carried out the most brutal slaughter and destruction in history, the talk of independence became Bengali. However, when the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman said in his March 7 speech, "This time's struggle is our liberation struggle, this time's struggle is the struggle for freedom", then the Bengalis did not have to understand that they have to fight. Prepare for war.

It becomes more clear through Bangabandhu's statement 'I am if Hukuk Dibar Nao Pari'. Bangabandhu declared independence in the early hours of March 26 after midnight during the Bengali Nidhan Yajna. And since then the word 'freedom' has become ours. Today is the great independence and national day.

The march of independence began with the initiation of the mantra 'Bear Bengali arms, make Bangladesh independent'. Today is a day of pride and glory for the Bengali nation. A day to rise above everything. At the same time, it is a day to remember with respect those Bengalis who sacrificed their lives for the dream of independence, mothers and sisters who lost their dignity, who accepted disability.

One thing to remember is that the direct declaration of independence came after midnight on March 25. That night, after the Pakistani army attacked various places including Pilkhana, Rajarbagh and Dhaka University, Bangabandhu made a historic declaration of independence from his Dhanmondi residence through EPR wireless at around 1:15 AM.

The Pakistani government's plan was to arrest Bangabandhu after the genocide began. Accordingly, that night a commando platoon led by Colonel Zaheer proceeded towards Bangabandhu's house. Under the leadership of Captain Humayun, the soldiers took position around the building. Major Bilal broke the door of the locked room on the second floor and took Bangabandhu away. They took Bangabandhu to the military headquarters in Sherebangla Nagar under heavy guard with tanks and cannons. He was later taken to the Army Officers Mess in the cantonment. On the orders of Tikka Khan, Bangabandhu was taken and detained in a room of Adamji Cantonment School. From there he was taken to Pakistan the next day.

Bangabandhu's declaration of independence via wireless was also picked up by a foreign ship anchored in Chittagong. Major Siddique Salik, chief of the Pakistan Army's public relations wing, also heard. He immediately conveyed the news to the Pakistani government and military officials of the Eastern Zone.

Chittagong Awami League general secretary Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury received the wireless message and arranged to deliver it by cyclostyle at night. The next day, Chittagong District Awami League General Secretary MA Hannan first read this message from Kalurghat Radio. Then Professor Abul Kashem Sandeep read out the declaration repeatedly. Chittagong radio worker Belal Mohammad, Professor Mumtaz Uddin Ahmed and Professor Abul Kashem Sandwip brought Major Ziaur Rahman to the Kalurghat Radio Center to read the declaration of independence on behalf of Bangabandhu. Major Zia first declared himself Supreme Commander and then read the Declaration of Independence in the name of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib.

Resistance struggle and armed liberation war started all over the country including Dhaka. The entire nation, regardless of party, creed, caste, jumped into the war with the slogan 'Jai Bangla-Jai Bangabandhu'. The fearless fight and flood of blood by the freedom fighters and freedom-mad Bengalis washed away all the tactics of Pakistan's skilled, trained and modern armed forces. An independent sovereign state of Bangladesh took place on the world map in 9 months of struggle.

Today, Bengali's greatest achievement of independence will be remembered with respect in all memorial minarets. All the monuments of the country, including the national memorial, will be filled with flowers. The President gave a message on the occasion of the day. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The President said in his speech, "On the night of March 25, 1971, the Pakistani invasion forces attacked the unarmed Bengalis by surprise. In the early hours of March 26, Bangabandhu officially declared the independence of Bangladesh. We achieved independent-sovereign Bangladesh through the long 9-month armed liberation war under the leadership of Bangabandhu.

In his speech, the Prime Minister said, "We have established the rule of law in the country by executing the judgments of the murderers of the father of the nation and war criminals." I have published 4 volumes of the Agartala Conspiracy case file filed against Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib by the Pakistani authorities, 11 out of 14 volumes of the Pakistani Intelligence Agency's report against him (1948-1971), along with his unfinished autobiography, Jail Roznamcha and Aam Dha Nayachin. I believe that by reading the books, the new generation will be able to gain proper knowledge about the father of the nation's strong footsteps in the history of independence.

Awami League program

Awami League has taken detailed programs on the occasion of the Great Independence and National Day. The program includes hoisting of national and party flags at sunrise at Bangabandhu Bhavan, central office and all offices of the organization across the country. 5.54 am Paying respects at the National Memorial. (Immediately after the President and Prime Minister pay their respects).

Awami League will pay respect to the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at 32 Dhanmondi at 6:45 am in the premises of historical Bangabandhu Bhavan following health protection rules.

On the occasion of Great Independence Day, prayers and Milad Mahfil have been organized in all mosques of the country including Baad Zohar Baitul Mukarram National Mosque as a part of nationwide special prayer program in all religious institutions including mosques, temples, pagodas, churches. On March 25, the Christian community organized a prayer meeting at Mirpur Baptist Church at 12:01 pm, the Buddhist community at Merul Badda International Buddhist Vihar in the capital at 10 am and the Hindu community at Dhakeshwari National Temple at 11 am.

Also, at 11 am, a delegation of the Awami League Central Executive will pay respects and participate in the Dua and Milad Mahfil program at the tomb of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is in eternal sleep at Tungipara. The members of the delegation are - member of the presidium of the Awami League. Colonel (Retd.) Muhammad Farooq Khan, Central Executive Member Abul Hasnat Abdullah, Presidium Member Shajahan Khan, Organizing Secretary SM Kamal Hossain, Deputy Secretary Sayem Khan.

Besides, on the occasion of the Great Independence and National Day, a discussion meeting has been organized by the party at Bangabandhu International Conference Center on March 27 at 11 am. Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will preside over the meeting and address.

General Secretary of the party and Minister of Road Transport and Bridges Obaidul Quader has called upon the leaders and workers, supporters, well-wishers and people of all levels of Awami League and allied organizations to celebrate the Great Independence Day with due dignity by following the health protection rules by adopting the program compatible with the program of Awami League.

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