Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday paid tributes to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths at his portrait at Dhanmondi 32 marking the historic March 7 speech.
The prime minister laid a wreath at the portrait of the great leader in front of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in the capital at 7am on Thursday. She observed silence for some time showing respect to the architect of Bangladesh's independence.
Later, flanked by senior leaders of the Awami League, Sheikh Hasina placed another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu paying homage on behalf of her party.
Leaders and workers of the Awami League’s associate bodies, including Jubo League, Chhatra League, Mohila Awami League, Sramik League, Krishak League, Jubo Mohila League and Swechasebak League, also paid homage to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait on the occasion.
On this day in 1971, Bangabandhu through his historic March 7 address made a clarion call for independence after then-Pakistani military rulers launched a brutal crackdown on Bangalees instead of transferring power to the Awami League, which had won the general election.
In 2017, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) recognized the historic speech of Bangabandhu as a world documentary heritage.
On this day in 1971, Bangabandhu, the undisputed leader of Bangalees, delivered his epoch-making speech of independence before a mammoth rally at Suhrawardy Udyan (then Race Course Maidan) in Dhaka.
In his 19-minute extempore speech before a million freedom-loving people, Bangabandhu made a clarion call for a non-cooperation movement asking the nation to prepare for a war of independence to liberate the country from the repressive Pakistani regime.
“The struggle this time is for freedom, the struggle this time is for independence. Joy Bangla,” Bangabandhu declared at the massive rally.
