Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called for embracing the spirit of the November 7, 1975 revolution as a guiding force for building a self-reliant, democratic and welfare-oriented Bangladesh.
In a message marking National Revolution and Solidarity Day, to be observed on Saturday, the prime minister said soldiers and civilians had united on November 7, 1975 to thwart conspiracies against the country's independence and sovereignty.
Describing the day as a defining moment in the nation's history, he said it was important neither to remain trapped in the past nor to ignore historical lessons while shaping the future.
Tarique said those seeking to turn Bangladesh into a subservient state, deprive people of their democratic and political rights, establish one-party rule and undermine the armed forces had been defeated through the uprising.
However, he alleged that the defeated forces later regrouped under the Grand Alliance and, through a prolonged conspiracy, turned the country into a subservient state.
He also accused them of undermining the armed forces through the planned massacre of military personnel at the BDR headquarters in Pilkhana and establishing an authoritarian regime by denying people their voting rights and democratic freedoms.
The prime minister said the country was eventually freed from fascism through the 2024 mass uprising, led by students and people at the cost of thousands of lives.
“The War of 1971 was fought to achieve independence. The struggle of 2024 was to safeguard the independence of the country and its people,” he said.
He drew parallels between the 1975 revolution and the 2024 uprising, saying both reflected people's determination to protect the country's sovereignty and freedom.
Tarique said ensuring that no one could again deprive citizens of their rights or turn Bangladesh into a subservient state should be the foremost commitment on this year's November 7.
He stressed that national unity was essential to achieving this goal.
Referring to the Liberation War of 1971, the anti-autocracy movement of 1990 and the mass uprising of 2024, he said these historic struggles shared a common aspiration: building an independent, self-reliant and secure Bangladesh while ensuring people's democratic and political rights.
Concluding his message, the prime minister called for the patriotic and democracy-loving people to uphold the slogan: “Neither Delhi nor Pindi, nor any other country; Bangladesh comes first.”
He also wished success to all programmes organised across the country to mark the day.
