Breaking News: Deu to Corona Virus affected the nation, Bangladesh govt. takes decision to postponed all activities to celebrate Independence Day in 2020.
26th March is the independence day of Bangladesh. In bangla this day is called Shadhinota Dibos. Bangladesh became independent in 26th March, 1971. A great historical movement took place on that year. In this article we are going to know the history in brief, celebration and other facts. Interested people can go through this article.
Bangladesh Independence Day History 1971
Today’s Bangladesh was a part of Pakistan which was named as East Pakistan. Another part of Pakistan was West Pakistan. West Pakistan wanted to dominate East Pakistan always. In 1970, Pakistan General election took place. This election played significant role for the liberation movement of Bangladesh. Awami League won in that election with a clear majority. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the leader of Awami League. Awami League was the largest political party of Pakistan. But Pakistani Military Government did not want to hand over power to Awami League. Yahya Khan was the head leader of Pakistani Military government. People of East Pakistan dived into the spirit. They only trust Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as their leader. West Pakistan rulers called meeting with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman several times. But they didn’t hand over the power.
7th March Speech, 1971
As West Pakistan military rulers did not hand over power to the elective representatives of 1970’s election, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave speech at Ramna Race Course in Dhaka (presently known as Suhrawardy Uddyan). This speech is one of the world’s famous speeches. In this speech, Bangabandhu proclaimed:
“This time the struggle is for our freedom. This time the struggle is for our independence.”
He inspired Bengali people to prepare for the war. He was calling for
“every house to turn into a fortress”.
UNESCO added the speech in the Memory of the World Register as a documentary heritage on 30th October 2017. Bangabandhu’s 7th march speech’s included some key demands :
- Inquiry of the mass killing.
- Transfer of power to the elected representatives.
- Withdrawal of the soldiers to their barracks.
- Lifting of the prevailing martial law.
Operation Searchlight
West Pakistan government made a plan of a military operation which was carried out by the Pakistan Army’s to curb the nationalist movement of East Pakistan. After completing all preparation, 25th March was selected to launch the operation. Undoubtedly this operation is defined as genocide. Major General Rao Farman Ali was assigned to the main charge of this operation. At first military attacked Dhaka University’s residential halls. Rokeya Hall, Jahurul Hoque Hall, Jagannath Hall were continued by acts of killing and brutal assaults. A bloody mass killing took place in the whole Dhaka City. Rajarbag Police Lines, Tejgaon, Indira Road, Kathalbagan, Kachukhet, Mirpur, inside Dhaka airport, Rayer Bazaar, Gabtuli, Mohammadpur, Dhanmondi, Kalabagan, and other places. Gradually this genocide was started throughout the country.
Declaration of Independence
To see this killing operation of West Pakistan army, Bangabandhu declared the independence of Bangladesh at late night of 25th March means early hours of 26th March. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman told,
This may be my last message, from today Bangladesh is free. I call upon the people of Bangladesh, wherever you live, with all your resources, continue to oppose the Pakistani army. Overthrow the last Pakistani soldier from the soil of Bangladesh and continue your war till the final victory is achieved.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
After the declaration East Pakistan Regiment (Bengali Army Officers and Soldiers) of Pakistan Military revolt against West Pakistan Army.
Major Ziaur Rahman declared the independence on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He said
On behalf of our great national leader, supreme commander of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman do hereby proclaim the independence of Bangladesh.
Major Ziaur Rahman
After that the uneven war began between West Pakistan Army and Bengali Army (East Pakistan Regiment), Bengali Police, Ansar, Common People. After nine months’ bloody war we achieved our victory on 16th December, 1971.
Celebrations
We are going to celebrate 49th independence day of Bangladesh. This day is commonly associated with parades, fairs, ceremonies, political speeches, concerts. TV and Radio broadcast various patriotic songs and spacial programs. School and colleges arranged various cultural program. People go to the national memorial Jatiyo Smriti Shoudho to pay respect to the national martyrs of our liberation war.
