C T Online Desk: As darkness falls on March 25, the nation pauses to remember one of the darkest nights in its history, when the streets of Dhaka echoed with gunfire, and thousands of unarmed civilians were killed in a brutal military crackdown that marked the beginning of the 1971 genocide.
Bangladesh is observing Genocide Day on Wednesday with due solemnity, commemorating the atrocities carried out on the night of March 25, 1971.
In the attack dubbed “Operation Searchlight,” the Pakistani forces mercilessly killed the Bangalee members of the East Pakistan Rifles and police, students, teachers and common people.
They killed people indiscriminately, set fire to the houses and property and looted business establishments, leaving a trail of destruction.
On the day, discussion programs on the March 25 genocide and the Liberation War will be held at all educational institutions across the country, including schools, colleges, madrasas, and technical institutions, with the participation of distinguished persons and valiant freedom fighters.
Besides, from 12:00 pm on March 25, exhibitions of rare and authentic photographs and documentaries on the genocide will be organized at mini poles in all city corporation areas, including Dhaka.
A seminar will also be organized at 10:00 am on March 25, or at a convenient time, under the arrangements of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Liberation War Museum.
Different cultural organizations are holding seminars, cultural programs lyrical drama on genocide.
Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television as well as private television channels and radio stations are airing special programs while national dailies published supplements marking the day.
Meanwhile different religious organizations arranged special prayers and doa mehfil seeking peace for the eternal souls of the deceased.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued separate messages on this occasion.
In a message, the President said a long-cherished right to vote has been restored after many years through a free, fair, and credible election. A democratic government has been established based on the people’s mandate.
The government has begun taking various programs and initiatives to build a non-discriminatory, democratic, humane, and self-reliant Bangladesh.
The martyrs of the Liberation War had the hope, aspirations, and dream of establishing a humane, democratic, and justice-based state—one free from discrimination, deprivation, misrule, corruption, injustice, and oppression, he said.
“Let us all, regardless of religion, caste, party, or opinion, work together to fulfill their spirit and expectations. Let us be inspired by patriotism,” he said.
In his message, the Prime Minister said to convey the value and significance of independence to the present and future generations, it is essential to know about the genocide of March 25 as well.
“Let us all strive to honour the sacrifices of the martyrs by establishing in the state and society the spirit of the great Liberation War – equality, human dignity and social justice. Let us work together to build a just, developed, prosperous, self-reliant and democratic Bangladesh,” he said.
He also prayed to the almighty Allah for forgiveness and eternal peace to the departed souls of all the martyrs and wish every success to all the programs organized to observe the day.
As Bangladesh prepares to mark the day, the observance serves as a reminder of the immense sacrifices made during the Liberation War — and the enduring responsibility to remember, document and honour the victims of the 1971 genocide.
