Shaheed Dr Milon Day will be observed across the country on Saturday, commemorating the 31st martyrdom anniversary of Dr Shamsul Alam Khan Milon who was killed during the 90s’ anti-autocratic movement.
Different socio-cultural and political organisations as well as professional bodies have chalked out various programmes to observe the day with due respect.
The day’s programmes include placing wreaths at the grave of Shaheed Dr Milon on the Dhaka Medical College campus, offering ‘fateha’ there and holding discussions to mark the day.
On this day in 1990, Dr Milon, the then joint secretary general of Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) and a teacher of Dhaka Medical College, was shot dead by gunmen near TSC on the Dhaka University campus on his way to a meeting against the then autocratic ruler HM Ershad.
The movement got momentum following the martyrdom of Dr Milon and autocratic ruler Ershad had to quit power finally in the face of a vigorous mass movement.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in separate messages, paid homage to Shaheed Dr Milon, recalling his supreme sacrifice for the restoration of democracy in the country.
In his message, Abdul Hamid said, “Dr Milon embraced martyrdom on this day during the movement for the restoration of democracy in 1990.”
He also recalled with deep respect the other martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the movement for establishing democracy. “I believe all the democracy-loving people of the country will always remember all the martyrs with deep respect.”
The President also hoped that the new generation will engage in the practice of democracy and development in the country inspired by Dr Milon’s ideals.
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Dr Milon embraced martyrdom in Dhaka University’s TSC area on November 27, 1990 on his way to join a meeting of Bangladesh Medical Association during the movement for the restoration of democracy).”
She said that Milon’s sacrifice intensified the anti-autocratic movement and finally democracy was restored in the country through the resignation of the autocratic ruler.
She prayed for the salvation of Milon’s departed soul.
BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman and secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also issued separate messages paying homage to the memory of Dr Milon on the occasion.
Shaheed Dr Milon Sangshad, Awami League, BNP, Dhaka University (DU), Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad, Bangladesh Medical Association, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal will place wreaths at the grave of Dr Milon on the DMC campus and at Milon Smrity Chattar near TSC.
Source: United News of Bangladesh