Dhaka – The nation proudly celebrates its 55th Independence and National Day Wednesday, marking the historic declaration of independence from Pakistan in 1971.
The day began with a thirty-one gun salute at dawn. President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus led the nation in paying tribute to the martyrs by placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar in the morning.
In the early hours of March 26, 1971, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman proclaimed Bangladesh’s independence following the brutal crackdown on unarmed Bangladeshis launched by Pakistani forces on the night of March 25.
In response, the people took up arms to liberate the country, ultimately achieving victory on December 16 of that year.
The war formally began on March 26, 1971, as the Pakistani military launched an offensive against Bengali civilians, students, intellectuals, and armed personnel.
Defecting members of the Bengali military and paramilitary forces, along with civilians, formed the ‘Mukti Bahini’ and engaged in guerrilla warfare against the occupation forces.
Opposing the independence movement, Jamaat-e-Islami collaborated with the Pakistani military, forming militias such as the Razakars, Al-Badr, and Al-Shams, who were responsible for massacring Bengali civilians.
Bangladesh secured its independence after a nine-month-long war, during which three million people made the ultimate sacrifice. Some 200,000 women suffered brutal atrocities.
The day is observed as a public holiday. The national flag will be hoisted atop government, semi-government, and private buildings to mark the occasion.
On the eve of Independence Day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus extended their greetings to the nation in separate messages.
Newspapers have published special supplements, while Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, and private media outlets will air special programs throughout the day.
Various political, social, and cultural organizations have planned extensive programs to commemorate the occasion. Public buildings and landmarks were illuminated and decorated with banners and festoons.
Special meals were served in hospitals, jails, orphanages, vagrant shelters, Muktijoddha Kendras, and charity homes. Meanwhile, security measures have been heightened across the country, including in the capital, to prevent any act of sabotage.