BNP acting chairman has extended greetings to people at home and abroad on the occasion of Victory Day, marking the culmination of Bangladesh’s nine-month Liberation War on 16 December 1971.

In a statement issued on Monday, Tarique recalled that Bangladesh achieved victory after months of armed struggle, leading to the emergence of the country as an independent state.

He paid deep tribute to the martyrs and freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives in the Liberation War and prayed for the salvation of their souls.

He also expressed respect for the mothers and sisters who made immense sacrifices to free the nation from foreign rule.

The statement noted that the Liberation War began on 26 March 1971, following the declaration of independence by late president Ziaur Rahman, and ended with the defeat of the Pakistani occupying forces on 16 December.

Describing Victory Day as a moment of pride, joy and sorrow, the leader saluted the valiant freedom fighters who secured independence at the cost of their lives.

He said the founding vision of the new state was to establish Bangladesh on the principles of democracy, social justice and freedom from exploitation.

However, he alleged that authoritarian and fascist forces repeatedly undermined that vision, halted the progress of multiparty democracy and imposed oppressive rule on the people.

According to the statement, although the country was liberated from enemy forces in 1971, conspiracies against Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty continue.

He claimed that aggressive forces and their domestic allies have sought to destabilise the country, undermine democracy and deprive citizens of their democratic and civil rights through what he described as one-sided elections over the past several years.

Tarique further alleged that in the absence of democracy, absolute power led to fear, repression and chaos, resulting in enforced disappearances, killings and mass arrests through what he termed false cases.

He also referred to the imprisonment of a prominent national leader who, he said, had spent much of her life fighting for democracy.

Referring to recent political developments, the statement said that a nationwide student and public movement in July and August 2024 defeated authoritarian forces, leading to the fall of what he described as a brutal autocratic regime.

He expressed hope that this would pave the way for renewed protection of independence and sovereignty, and the restoration of multiparty democracy.

On Victory Day, he called for ensuring an environment conducive to holding free, fair and credible elections to form an accountable, welfare-oriented government.

He urged citizens to pledge to build a discrimination-free Bangladesh by setting aside division and hatred and standing by one another as human beings.

Tarique concluded by wishing success to all Victory Day programmes and once again extended greetings to the nation on the occasion.