Dhaka: Chief Adviser (CA) Professor Muhammad Yunus today paid rich tributes to the martyred intellectuals of 1971 on the occasion of the Martyred Intellectuals Day to be observed tomorrow. On the eve of the day, the Chief Adviser issued a message emphasizing the significance of the day in the history of Bangladesh.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Professor Yunus reflected on the tragic events that unfolded in the final days of the Liberation War. He recounted how the Pakistani occupation forces and their local collaborators executed the country's intellectuals in an attempt to intellectually cripple Bangladesh. The Chief Adviser expressed his deepest respects to these martyred intellectuals and all martyrs of the Liberation War, extending prayers for the eternal peace and salvation of their souls.
Professor Yunus highlighted the crucial role played by the intellectuals as frontline warriors in the struggle against the oppressive regime. He acknowledged their contributions through intellect, wisdom, cultural pursuits, and powerful writings, which played a pivotal role in uniting the nation and mobilizing public opinion in favor of the Liberation War. Their guidance to the wartime government was instrumental in steering the nation towards victory.
He further elaborated on the premeditated massacre orchestrated by the occupation forces and their collaborators, which targeted patriotic academics, journalists, writers, physicians, scientists, lawyers, artists, engineers, philosophers, politicians, thinkers, and countless other enlightened minds. Despite these heinous efforts to render Bangladesh intellectually barren, the anti-liberation forces ultimately failed.
Professor Yunus affirmed that the vision of the martyred intellectuals for a democratic, developed, and prosperous Bangladesh remains alive. The present Interim Government, formed through the July uprising, is committed to building a just and equitable new Bangladesh with nationwide support. He expressed his belief in fulfilling the dreams of the martyred intellectuals through these efforts.
The Chief Adviser called for national unity on Martyred Intellectuals Day, urging collective efforts to build a developed and prosperous Bangladesh for the future.