Today marks the historic 7 November – a day of dramatic turns in 1975 that paved the way for Ziaur Rahman to assume state power in Bangladesh amid coups and countercoups.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and like-minded organisations have long observed the day as the “Jatiya Biplob o Sanghoti Dibosh.” They are commemorating 7 November with various programmes.
On the occasion, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman extended greetings to the nation.
In his message, he said the “Sipahi-Janata Biplob” of 7 November 1975 was not merely a turning point in Bangladesh’s history, but the beginning of an anti-hegemonic nationalist movement.
Through the uprising, the country’s sovereignty was protected, he said, calling upon all nationalist forces to unite in rebuilding a strong democracy in the spirit of 7 November.
In a separate message, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir urged everyone to work together to achieve the true fruits of independence – economic freedom, peace, equality, justice, and human dignity – and to permanently eliminate corruption and misrule.
The Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) has been observing 7 November as the “Sipahi-Janata Obbhutthan,” while the now-banned Awami League once marked it as “Muktijoddha Hatya Dibosh.”
Jahangirnagar University Vice-Chancellor and political analyst Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan told TIMES of Bangladesh, “Jatiya Biplob o Sanghoti Dibosh, marked on 7 November, is not just for BNP.
“It is a day that symbolises the political, economic and social aspirations of all people of Bangladesh. The day came before BNP’s existence, and therefore it should be observed by everyone.”
Echoing the same, Dhaka University Professor of Political Science Sabbir Ahmed said, “The developments of 7 November stemmed from the jail killings of four national leaders on 3 November 1975.
“Each political party has been observing the day from its own political perspective.”
