Desk Report
Publish: 06 Mar 2022, 09:44 pm
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman || Photo: Collected
The nation is set to observe the historic March 7,
commemorating the landmark speech of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman, which was touted as an indirect declaration of the country's
independence in 1971.
This year the observance of the day is significant as the
nation is celebrating 'Mujib Year' as well as observing the 70 years of the
Language Movement.
On October 30 in 2017, UNESCO recognised the historic speech
as part of the world's documentary heritage as the landmark fiery speech of
Bangabandhu inspired the Bengalees to prepare for the War of Liberation in
1971.
It has been included in the Memory of the World
International Register, a list of the world's important documentary heritage
maintained by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO).
On March 7, Bangabandhu in his historic speech at a mammoth
rally in the then 'Race Course Maidan', now Suhrawardy Udyan, in the city
directed the freedom-loving Bangalees for waging a decisive struggle against
the Pakistani occupation forces.
In his extempore speech from 4:23 pm before millions of
people of former East Pakistan, Bangabandhu in unequivocal term said, "We
spilled our blood ... we are ready to shed more blood, the people of the country
shall be freed, Inshallah!"
"Ebarer sangram amader muktir sangram, ebarer sangram
swadhinatar sangram (The struggle this time is for our emancipation, the
struggle this time is for our independence)" the great leader and the
greatest Bangalee of all times went on to add.
During his deliberations amid thunderous slogans and
applause, he also made a fervent appeal to the roaring people from all walks of
life to make preparations for armed struggle against the tyranny, exploitation,
subjugation and deprivation by Pakistani military junta with whatever they
possessed and transformed every house into a fortress.
The people were overwhelmed and imbued with the spirit of
Bangabandhu's unparalleled speech of independence regarded only as comparable
with the Gettysburg Speech of slain US President Abraham Lincoln.
The whole nation responded spontaneously to Bangabandhu's
call with the thunderous slogan- "Bir Bangalee Astra Dharo, Bangladesh
Swadhin Karo" -Brave Bangalees take up arms and free Bangladesh from
occupation.
The vigorous speech inspired people of all walks of life to
prepare for the war, which eventually began after the Pakistani regime on the
black night of March 25 launched attacks on the unarmed Bangalees, the worst
genocides in history for the next nine months.
Bangabandhu's March 7 speech has been selected as one of the
most rousing and inspirational wartime speeches in the last 2,500 years. The
dynamic speech had changed the course of the country's history.
The tantalizing speech literally had a mesmerizing and
sparkling effect on the entire population of this soil and they became united
under his capable and farsighted leadership to bravely fight for liberating the
motherland from the clutches of the Pakistani occupation forces.
Although people from all walks of life irrespective of
political and religious beliefs were united for the cause and began to take
all-out preparations for a bloody war, they waited till the crackdown of the
Pakistani occupation forces on the sleeping Bangalees on the night of March 25,
defamed as the "Operation Searchlight".
As soon as the Pakistani occupation forces started genocide,
Bangabandhu declared the independence of the motherland instructing the people
to put up strong resistance and fight against them till liberation is achieved.
At the instruction of Bangabandhu, the brave nation fought
successfully the nine-month-old war of liberation and ultimately liberated
Bangladesh from the clutches of the Pakistani occupation forces on December 16,
1971, with the assistance of the allied Indian forces.
Marking the day, different socio-cultural and political
organisations, student and professional bodies have drawn up elaborate
programmes, including laying wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu and holding
discussions with maintaining health guidelines amid the coronavirus (Covid-19)
situation.
The national flag will be hoisted at all public and private
buildings in the country and diplomatic missions abroad on the historic 7 March
as per the government's decision.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Awami League (AL) has taken elaborate
programmes to observe the historic March 7 in a befitting manner.
Marking the day, the ruling AL will hoist national and party
flags atop Bangabandhu Bhaban and party offices, place wreaths at Bangabandhu's
portrait on the premises of Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi, said a press
release of AL.
A discussion will be arranged at Awami League's Bangabandhu Avenue
central office at 11 am.
Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will
chair the discussion at virtual platform.
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Topic : Historic March 7 1971
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