Dhaka: The Martyred Intellectuals Day is being observed across the nation with due respect. The country solemnly remembers the mass killing of numerous prominent intellectuals by the Pakistan army and their collaborators, who anticipated their defeat just two days before the establishment of Dhaka as the free capital of Bangladesh.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the occupation forces and their Bengali-speaking allies conducted systematic killings throughout the nine-month Liberation War. However, December 14 stood out as a deliberate massacre intended to plunge the newborn nation into intellectual void.
National programs have been organized to observe the day appropriately. Various political and socio-cultural organizations have also outlined several programs to mark the occasion. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus honored the martyred intellectuals by laying a wreath at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Mirpur, Dhaka, early in the morning. He stood in silent tribute alongside top government officials, freedom fighters, and military personnel.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin also paid his respects at the memorial earlier in the day. Following their tributes, the memorial was opened to the public, allowing citizens to pay their respects. Leaders from political, social, and professional organizations followed suit, paying homage to the martyred intellectuals.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, was among those who placed wreaths at the memorial. Alamgir expressed concern over recent incidents of violence, describing them as threats to the nation’s democratic progress. He reiterated the party’s commitment to protecting Bangladesh’s independence and democracy.
The National Citizen Party (NCP) also participated in the observance, with convener Nahid Islam highlighting the historical significance of the day and condemning current acts of violence aimed at undermining democracy. He called for national unity and justice for those involved in such crimes.
Numerous political parties, including Gano Forum, Nagorik Oikya, and the Communist Party of Bangladesh, as well as various social and cultural organizations, paid tribute to the martyred intellectuals. Throughout the day, people from all walks of life, including students and freedom fighters, gathered at the Rayerbazar Martyred Intellectuals Memorial to honor the fallen intellectuals of 1971.