Various political and socio-cultural organizations, including Bangladesh Awami League, on Tuesday, observed Shaheed Nur Hossain Day recalling his outstanding contributions to anti-autocracy movement and restoration of democracy in the country.
On this day in 1987, Awami Jubo League leader Nur Hossain, who imprinted his bare chest and back with the slogans “Free democracy” and “Down with autocracy,” embraced martyrdom in police firing during an anti-autocracy demonstration in city’s Zero Point, now known as Shaheed Nur Hossain Square.
Awami Jubo League leader Nurul Huda Babul and farmers’ leader Aminul Huda Tito of Bajitpur in Kishoreganj district were also killed in police firing during the mass movement for restoration of democracy against autocratic rule.
The martyrdom of Nur Hossain and others during the mass upsurge of late 90s expedited the anti-autocracy movement. In the face of the movement, the then autocratic ruler had to step down on December 6 in 1990. Since then, the day is being observed every year as the Shaheed Nur Hossain Day.
Marking the day, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on Monday.
“Today November 10 is the Shaheed Nur Hossain Day. This is an important day in the history of restoring democracy in Bangladesh,” the president said in his message.
On this day in 1987, Nur Hossain sacrificed his life while waging movement in the city streets against autocratic rule, he said, adding, “Today, I recall all the martyrs with respect, including Nur Hossain, who embraced martyrdom for the country’s democracy”.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, recalled all martyrs, who embraced martyrdom for the country’s democracy in 1987, with due respect on the Shaheed Nur Hossain Day.
Many unidentified people, including Babul and Fattah, sacrificed their lives in the movement of restoring democracy, she said.
Finally the democracy was restored on December 6 in 1990 with fall of the autocratic ruler in the subsequent of the continued movements and struggles, the Prime Minister said, adding subsequently the people got back their rights to vote and food.
Sheikh Hasina prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls of all martyrs, including Nur Hossain, and convoyed deep sympathy to the bereaved families.
Marking the day, Bangladesh Awami League, led by its General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, paid homage to Nur Hossain by placing a wreath at the Shaheed Nur Hossain Square in the morning and offered a special prayer seeking eternal peace of the departed soul of the slain Awami Jubo League leader leader.
Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Organizing Secretary Mirza Azam, Relief and Social Welfare Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, Labour Affairs Secretary Habibur Rahman Siraj, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, Science and Technology Affairs Secretary Engineer Abdus Sabur were present on the occasion, among others.
BNP, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jashod), Bashod, Workers Party, Gono Forum, Biplobi Workers Party and Bam Gonotantrik Jote also paid tributes to Nur Hossain.
Dhaka city south and north units of Awami League, Awami Jubo League, Swechchhasebak League, Jatiya Sramik League, Bangladesh Chhatra League, Krishak League, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote and different other political, socio-cultural organizations also paid homage by placing wreaths at the square.