A day of sorrow and grief for loss of country's best sonsNation pays homage to Martyred Intellectuals

Bangladesh today observes Martyred Intellectuals' Day, recalling the ultimate sacrifice of the leading intellectuals killed systematically by the Pakistan occupation army and their local collaborators at the fag-end of the country's Liberation War in 1971.

Martyr Intellectuals Day is the most poignant day in the history of the country's independence and struggle for freedom.

The day marks as one of the most tragic days in the country's history when the occupation troops and their Bengali speaking collaborators like Razakars, Al-Badr, Al-Shams and the Peace Committee carried out a systemic massacre of intellectuals on that day.

Just two days before the surrender of the Pakistani occupation forces, on the dark night of December 14, 1971 under the curfew; approximately 150 renowned academics, doctors, engineers, journalists, and artists and other eminent personalities were dragged blind-folded out of their homes in the capital and killed in cold blood to expose the new born country to a state of brainlessness. Later, they were left in the silent, eerie darkness.

The next morning, many lifeless bodies were seen lying scattered in the ditches and drain of Mirpur and Rayer bazar brickyards in Dhaka. Some were killed in bullet firing or tortured inhumanly.

Many had their hands tied behind their backs and their intestines had been removed with charging bayonets.

This brutal massacre to deprive the nation of their intellectuals at the final moment of victory shocked the entire nation and the entire world that day.

These shining individuals were the guiding light for Bangalees and instrumental in the movements against disparity and repressive measures of the Pakistani rulers, thus contributing to the Liberation War.

From the nationally published Martyred Intellectuals Day collection in 1972, news published in various publications and from the write-up of internationally renowned journalist Nicholas Tomalin at the international news magazine “Newsweek”, the total number of martyred intellectuals is as high as 1,070.

In the long liberation struggle of the Bengali nation, these intellectuals inspired the organizers of independence through their intellect, thinking and writing. They showed the path to liberation. They inspired the entire nation in the struggle for rights. The birth of an independent state was not tolerated by the anti-liberation clique at all.

Although December 14 is remembered as the day of the massacre of intellectuals, this most heinous crime in history actually began on December 10. Throughout the week, the names of intelligent and courageous people appeared one by one on their list.

Originally, from December 10, the listed intellectuals were blindfolded and taken from their homes to Rayerbazar and Mirpur killing grounds in the dark of night and brutally killed.

The first Martyred Intellectuals Memorial was built in Mirpur, Dhaka in memory of the martyred intellectuals.

In 1991, construction of another memorial named the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial began in Rayerbazar, Dhaka, which was inaugurated on December 14, 1999.

On the eve of the day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus gave separate messages paying profound respect to the memories of martyred intellectuals.

Mohammed Shahabuddin in a message said, "I call upon all to play an effective role from their respective positions to build a new Bangladesh, inspired by the spirit of non-discrimination."

In his message, Prof Yunus said that the interim government, formed through the mass uprising, is committed to building a developed, prosperous, and well-governed Bangladesh.

He also called on everyone to unite, resist any conspiracy by anti-liberation forces, and fulfill their responsibilities from their respective positions.

National programmes have been chalked out to observe the Martyred Intellectuals Day in a befitting manner. Different political and socio-cultural organizations have also drawn up various programmes in observance of the day.

As per state programme, the president and the chief adviser will place separate wreaths at Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at 7.05am and 7.06am respectively.

Led by the Liberation War Affairs Adviser, members of the martyred families and the valiant freedom fighters including wounded freedom fighters will place wreaths at the Intellectuals' Memorial at 7.22am and Rayer Bazar killing ground at 8:30am.

People from all walks of life will lay wreaths at the Intellectuals' Memorial from 8.30 am.

Different television and radio channels including Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar will air special programmes while national dailies will publish special supplements highlighting the significance of the day.

Discussions will be held at all district and upazila levels of the country while special prayers will be offered at all mosques, temples, churches, pagodas and other places of worship marking the day.

To preserve the sanctity of the day, the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has requested the public to refrain from using microphones or loudspeakers in the vicinity of the memorial at Mirpur.

Dhaka University has also prepared programmes to pay respect to the martyred intellectuals, many of whom belonged to the university. Black flags will be hoisted at all dormitories, at the vice-chancellor's residence and buildings of the university in the morning.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has also taken up elaborate programme to observe the day. BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman gave a message on the eve of the day.

To mark the day, national flags will be kept half mast and black flags will be hoisted atop all BNP offices across the country including central office at Nayapaltan in the capital at the dawn.

Leaders and activists of the party and its associate and front organizations will pay tributes to the memory of martyred intellectuals by placing wreaths at the Mirpur Intellectuals’ Memorial at 9am.