‘Genocide Day’ today

The ‘Genocide Day’ is today. On the black night of March 25 nearly five decades ago, Pakistani occupation forces launched brutal genocide codenamed ‘Operation Searchlight’ on the unarmed Bengalees.

This time the government and political, social and cultural organizations including the ruling Awami League have suspended all programmes in the wake of the deadly coronavirus outbreak.

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve of the ‘Genocide Day’.

National dailies have published special supplements and television channels are airing special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.

On the black night of March 25, 1971, the Pakistani military junta carried out mass killing in Dhaka as part of their blueprint to thwart the Awami League’s assumption of office following the victory in the elections held in 1970.

In the attack dubbed ‘Operation Searchlight’, the Pakistani forces mercilessly killed the Bangalee members of the then East Pakistan Rifles and police, students, teachers and common people.

They killed people indiscriminately, set houses and properties on fire, and looted business establishments, leaving a trail of destruction.

The government of Bangladesh Awami League decided to observe 25 March as ‘Genocide Day’.

On March 11 in 2017, the National Parliament unanimously passed a proposal to observe the day and the Cabinet on 20 March approved the proposal to observe 25 March as ‘Genocide Day’.

Subsequently, the cabinet division in a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair, unanimously endorsed the decision on March 20 in 2017.



Dhaka/Mukul