Martyred Intellectuals’ Day today

Desk Report: The nation is observing the Martyred Intellectuals’ Day today (Friday) in a befitting manner.

Just two days ahead of the country’s victory on this day 47 years ago, the marauding Pakistan army in collusion with their local collaborators – Al- Badr, Al-Shams and Razakars – killed the most prominent intellectuals of the country in a bid to cripple the newly emerging nation of Bangladesh.

Those who were exposed to the killers’ wrath on December 14, 1971 included Dr Alim Chowdhury and Dr Fazle Rabbi, Journalists Shahidullah Kaisar, Sirajudddin Hossain, Nizamuddin Ahmed, SA Mannan and Selina Parveen and litterateur Monier Chowdhury.

Most of the December 14 victims were picked up from their houses blindfolded and killed during December 10 to 14 in 1971.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve of the day paying glowing homage to the martyred intellectuals.

In separate messages, they urged the people from all strata to come forward being inspired with the spirit of War of Liberation to build a knowledge-based society as well as poverty-free country dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The President said the intellectuals had played a very significant role and worked as the conscience of the nation in advancing the Liberation War towards its successful end.

But it is unfortunate that the occupation forces had brutally killed those intellectuals including academicians, physicians, litterateurs, journalists and artists just on the eve of the victory, which was an irreparable loss to the nation, he added.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said in the history of the liberation struggle of the Bangalee nation, the Martyred Intellectuals’ Day is a painful occasion.
She said when the country was close to achieve the final victory under the leadership of the greatest Bangalee of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the intellectuals were killed on December 14 by the occupation forces and their local collaborators like Razakars, Al-Badars and Al-Shams.

President Abdul Hamid placed a wreath at Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Mirpur at 7:05 am while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the memorial at 7:06 am.Members of martyred and freedom fighters placed wreaths at Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at 7:22 am and Rayerbazar Killing Ground at Mohammadpur at 8:30 am.

Later, people of all walks are placing wreaths at Martyred Intellectuals Memorial.

Bangladesh Television and private television channels are broadcasting special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.

Marking the day, ruling Awami League and other political parties have chalked out various programmes.

The ruling party will organise a meeting at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh at 3 pm on December 14. Awami League President and Prime Minister  Sheikh Hasina will preside over the meeting.

Input taken from BSS

risingbd/Dhaka/Dec 14, 2018/Mukul