The nation is observing the historic March 7, commemorating the landmark speech of Bangabandhu which was touted as an indirect declaration of the country’s independence in 1971.
This year the observance of the day is more significant as the nation is getting ready to celebrate the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on March 17.
The landmark fiery speech of Bangabandhu inspired the Bangalis to prepare for the War of Liberation, reports BSS.
The war began 18 days later, when the Pakistan Army launched "Operation Searchlight" against unarmed Bangali civilians, intellectuals, students, politicians, and armed personnel.
On October 30 in 2017, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) recognized the historic speech as part of the world’s documentary heritage.
It has been included in the Memory of the World International Register, a list of world’s important documentary heritage maintained by the Unesco.
Epoch-making speech
On this day in 1971, Bangabandhu, the undisputed leader of Bangalis, had delivered his epoch-making speech of independence before a mammoth rally at the historic Racecourse Maidan, now Suhrawardy Udyan, in Dhaka.
In the 19-minute extempore speech, he directed the freedom-loving Bangalis for waging a decisive struggle against the Pakistani occupation forces, saying: "We spilled our blood…we are ready to shed more blood, the people of the country shall be freed, Inshallah!
"Ebarer sangram amader muktir sangram, ebarer sangram swadhinatar sangram" (The struggle this time is for our emancipation, the struggle this time is for our independence), the great leader and the greatest Bangali of all times went on to add.
During his deliberations amid thunderous slogans and applause, he also made a fervent appeal to the roaring people from all walks of life to take preparations for armed struggle against the tyranny, exploitation, subjugation and deprivation by Pakistani military junta with whatever they possessed and transforming every house into a fortress.
The people were overwhelmed and imbued with the spirit of Bangabandhu's unparalleled speech of independence regarded only as comparable to the Gettysburg Speech of slain US President Abraham Lincoln.
The whole nation responded spontaneously to Bangabandhu's call with thunderous slogan "Bir Bangali Astra Dharo, Bangladesh Swadhin Karo" (Brave Bangalis take up arms and free Bangladesh from occupation).
The vigorous speech inspired people of all walks of life to prepare for the war, which eventually began after the Pakistani regime on March 25 launched on the unarmed Bangalis the worst genocide in history for the next nine months.
March 7 speech one of the most inspirational wartime speeches
Bangabandhu's March 7 speech has been selected as one of the most rousing and inspirational wartime speeches in the last 2,500 years. The dynamic speech had changed the course of the country's history.
The tantalizing speech literally had a mesmerizing and sparkling effect on the entire population of this soil and they became united under his capable and farsighted leadership to bravely fight for liberating the motherland from the clutches of the Pakistani occupation forces.
Although people from all walks of life irrespective of political and religious beliefs were united for the cause and began to take all out preparations for a bloody war, they waited till the crackdown of the Pakistani occupation forces on the sleeping Bangalis on the night of March 25, defamed as the "Operation Searchlight."
As soon as the Pakistani occupation forces started genocide, Bangabandhu declared independence of the motherland instructing the people to put up strong resistance and fight against them till the liberation is achieved.
At the instruction of Bangabandhu, the brave nation fought successfully the nine-month-old War of Liberation and ultimately liberated Bangladesh from the clutches of the Pakistani occupation forces on December 16, 1971 with the assistance of the allied Indian forces.
According to political analysts, the March 7 speech of Bangabandhu was not only a call for the Bangali nation to fight for freedom, it was rather a direction for all nations.
Elaborate programs drawn up to mark the day
To mark the day, different socio-cultural and political organizations, student and professional bodies have drawn up elaborate programs including laying wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu and holding discussions and rallies.
The ruling Awami League will hoist national and party flags atop the Bangabandhu Bhaban and party offices and place wreaths at Bangabandhu's portrait on the Bangabandhu Bhaban premises at Dhanmondi in the morning.
A discussion will be arranged at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre auditorium at 3:30pm. Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will chair the discussion.
Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television as well as private television channels and radio stations will air special programs while national dailies will bring out special supplements marking the auspicious occasion.
