The nation is set to observe Martyred Intellectuals Day on Wednesday (14 December) in a befitting manner to commemorate the intellectuals killed in 1971.
Just two days ahead of the country's cherished victory on this day 51 years ago, the occupation Pakistan army in collusion with their local collaborators -- Al-Badr, Al-Shams and Razakars - butchered the most prominent intellectuals of the country in a bid to cripple the newly emerging nation of Bangladesh.
The country’s renowned academicians, doctors, engineers, journalists, artists, teachers and other eminent personalities were dragged out of their homes, blindfolded and taken to unknown places and then brutally tortured and murdered.
Their bodies were later dumped at Rayerbazar, Mirpur and some other killing fields in the capital.
Those who were exposed to the killers' wrath on December 14, 1971, included Dr Alim Chowdhury and Dr Fazle Rabbi, Journalists Shahidullah Kaisar, Sirajudddin Hossain, Nizamuddin Ahmed, SA Mannan and Selina Parveen and litterateur Monier Chowdhury, Prof Govinda Chandra Dev, Jyotirmoy Guha Thakurta, Prof Santash Chattacharjee, Prof Anwar Pasha, Mofazzal Haider Chowdhury and Prof Muniruzzaman.
Most of the December 14 victims were picked up from their houses blindfolded and killed from December 10 to 14 in 1971.
The national programmes have been chalked out to observe Martyred Intellectuals Day with due respect.
On the eve of the day, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on Tuesday.
President Hamid in a message said, ‘I call upon all to play an effective role from their respective position to build Sonar Bangla imbued with the sacrifice of the Martyred Intellectuals and spirit of the Liberation War.’
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, urged all irrespective of party affiliation to get united against the killers of 1971, war criminal Jamaat, and fundamentalists and perform their duties from their respective positions to continue the development spree of the country by resisting all conspiracies of anti-democratic forces.
As per programmes, wreaths will be placed at 7: 5 am and 7: 6 am at Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals Memorial by the head of the state and the head of the government (Prime Minister) respectively.
Several television channels including Bangladesh Television (BTV) and private TV channels will air it from the spot.
Led by the Liberation War Affairs Minister, members of the martyrs' families and the valiant freedom fighters including wounded freedom fighters will place wreaths at the Intellectuals Memorial at 7:22 am and Rayer Bazar Boddho Bhumi at 8:30 am.
From 8:30 am on the day, people from all walks of life will lay wreaths at the Intellectual Memorial.
Discussions will be held at all district and upazila levels of the country while all mosques, temples, churches, pagodas and other places for worship will offer special prayers marking the day.
Marking the day, the ruling Awami League and other political parties have chalked out various programmes.
Different television and radio channels including Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar will hold special discussions on the occasion of Martyred Intellectuals Day highlighting the significance of the day.
Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul
