DHAKA: The historic March 7, a Red-letter day in the history of the Bengalis` long demanding freedom struggle, is being marked across the country seeking divine blessings for the well-being and prosperity of the nation.
However, different political parties including the Awami League, social, cultural and professional bodies have chalked out elaborate programmes to mark the day.
To mark the day, the ruling Awami League hoisted the national and party flags in the morning and placed homage to Bangabandhu by placing floral wreaths at his portrait at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi around 7am.
The ruling party is also likely to organize a public rally at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan at 3pm.
On this day in 1971, the undisputed leader of the Bengalis Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered a speech of independence in front millions of freedom-loving people at the Race Course Maidan, now known as Suhrawardy Udyan, in Dhaka.
The Bengali people were inspired to prepare for a potential war of independence, amid widespread reports of armed mobilization by West Pakistan. During the speech, Sheikh Mujib proclaimed, "Our struggle is for our freedom. Our struggle is for our independence"
The father of the nation Sheikh Mujib also announced the civil disobedience movement in the province, calling for "every house to turn into a fortress".
He mentioned the immense Bengalis’ sufferings of 23-year after 1947 during the Partition of India. On that time Bangladesh was known as East Pakistan under the rule of West Pakistan where the majority Bengali people of East Pakistan were underprivileged by the government of that age.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman raised a fearless voice against that amiss and inequity of the Pakistan government.
In his speech of independence, Bangabandhu unequivocally said, "As we had spilled bloods....we are ready to drop more bloods, the people of the country shall be freed, Inshallah." Bangbabandhu’s liberation speech of March 7, 1971, boosted the cognition of independence to millions of Bengalis.
West Pakistan dominated the country politically and its leaders exploited the East economically, leading to many grievances. Those grievances explored the freedom-loving people as the motion to the Liberation War. The war eventually began 18 days later, on 25 March 1971, when the Pakistan Army launched ‘Operation Searchlight’ against Bengali civilians, intelligentsia, students, politicians and armed personnel.
Being influenced by Bangabandhu’s speech, millions of mutinous people involved in revolutionary liberation war in 1971 which witnessed the birth of the current state of Bangladesh. The war against West Pakistan lasted over a duration of nine months which experienced large-scale atrocities, the exodus of 10 million refugees, the displacement of 30 million people and many more destructions.
On 16 December in 1971, the Allied Forces of Bangladesh achieved the freedom as the Pakistani Army surrendered and the flag of new borne Bangladesh had started to fly forever. Finally the Pakistani authority crumbled in front of the protest of fiery Bengalis.
BDST: 0914 HRS, MAR 07, 2014
