Joy Bangla (Victory to Bangladesh), the iconic slogan of the 1971 War of Independence has become more inclusive, 42 years into the birth of the country.
Sammilito Sangskritik Jote yesterday began their Victory Day celebrations with an extended version of that slogan, conveying how it has over time come to speak of Bangladeshis everywhere, of every religion and every era.
The three-day-long celebrations was inaugurated at the Central Shahid Minar in presence of family members of martyrs, particularly those who lost their near ones at the mass killing field in Mirpur and victims of the recently executed Quader Molla’s atrocities.
Hasan Arif, general secretary of the organisation, said the essence of “Joy Bangla” slogan included all, irrespective of their ethnicity, religion, caste or class-based affiliations.
President of the platform Nasiruddin Yusuf Bachchu said: “Taking steps for ensuring equality for all citizens, including the communities, who do not fall under the criteria of Bengalis was called for now. We will not stop until we have defeated the evil force, Jamaat-Shibir and those who had committed crimes against humanity.”
Nasir, also a freedom fighter said: “Same kinds of attacks were launched in 1971 in the name of Islam. They always used religion for their own benefit.”
Dhaka University VC AAMS Arefin Siddique called upon all to unitedly resist all kinds of conspiracy against the country. Observing that the violence in 1971 would not have been so severe if there were no collaborators to help the Pakistani occupational forces.
“Ensuring punishment to these traitors is a must. The people of Bangladesh want the government to take necessary steps in bringing back some of these fugitive leaders. If we cannot ensure the perpetrators were being punished, establishing rule of law will not be possible,” Arefin Siddique said.
