Dhaka: Freedom fighter, former DUCSU VP, and JSD President A.S.M. Abdur Rob emphasized that the significance of Victory Day should extend beyond historical commemoration. He stated that Victory Day represents a moral, political, and progressive commitment, rather than being restricted to the past.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rob expressed these views in an interview on the eve of Victory Day, which will be celebrated nationwide tomorrow. He highlighted that the Great War of Independence in 1971, following a long struggle, granted the nation an independent state. However, he insisted that victory is an ongoing struggle, not a fixed achievement.
Rob described Victory Day as a pledge to uphold democracy by creating a non-discriminatory republic and ensuring public participation in governance. He articulated that the true objective of Victory Day, post-mass uprising, should focus on constructing a society where economic and social justice prevail, and freedom and sovereignty are shielded from any interference. He emphasized the establishment of real ownership of the republic's sovereignty by the people.
Furthermore, he pointed out that the 2024 mass uprising uncovered the persistent absence of a republic founded on equality, human dignity, and social justice. He noted that the new political reality adds a task to Victory Day-to realize the aspirations of 1971 and 2024 by dismantling oppressive regimes and fostering a participatory democracy.
Rob reiterated that the core aim of the Liberation War was to ensure a society free from exploitation, with people's sovereignty and dignified civil life. He expressed concern that this consciousness has been distorted by prolonged dictatorship and discrimination.
He concluded by stating that victory is not a fixed or self-sufficient achievement but a continuous struggle. He warned that when regimes oppose democracy and human dignity, victory remains incomplete. The 2024 mass uprising, he added, has historically called for addressing this incompleteness.