The glorious month of independence begins today as fifty one years ago this month the nation launched its nine-month long struggle for a sovereign Bangladesh.
In March 1971, the whole nation got united against the oppressive Pakistani forces under the leadership of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a struggle which gave birth to an independent country on December 16, 1971.
This month is a significant one in the country's history as Bangabandhu declared the country's independence in the early hours of March 26, 1971.
This month is also a landmark in national history owing to the historic 7th March speech of Bangabandhu. The speech was the ultimate call for the nation to rise against Pakistan’s oppression.
The architect of independent Bangladesh, Bangabandhu himself was born in this month in 1920 at Tungipara in Gopalganj.
On this day in 1971, then Pakistan president Yahya Khan, in a sudden radio speech, postponed the National Assembly session, which had been scheduled to be held on March 3, for an indefinite period.
The news of the postponement of the National Assembly session led to massive protests in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country, with people of all classes taking to the streets. All offices and business centers in the capital closed down as well.
In his reaction, Bangabandhu termed Yahya’s decision as unacceptable.
Following a meeting of the Awami League leadership at Hotel Purbani, he called for a strike in Dhaka on March 2, a countrywide strike on March 3 and a rally at the Race Course (today’s Suhrawardy Uddyan) on March 7 as part of a non-violent non-cooperation movement.
To mark the beginning of the month of independence, the Awami Swechchhasebak League paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths at the portrait of the nation’s founder at Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi Road 32 and held a candlelight vigil there in the first hour of March 1.
Besides, different political parties, including the ruling Awami League, and cultural and social organizations will observe the month through various programs.
