Political leaders from various factions gathered at the Martyred Intellectual Memorial in Mirpur on the occasion of Martyred Intellectual Day to pay homage to the martyred intellectuals of 1971.
They expressed their commitment to establishing a democratic and non-discriminatory Bangladesh while reflecting on the recent uprising of 2024.
“New opportunities have been created by defeating fascist forces on July 36 or August 5. We want to establish Bangladesh as a democratic state, a modern state, and a non-discriminatory state in the true sense by utilising this opportunity,” said Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, secretary general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), while paying homage at the memorial.
“On this day in 1971, on the eve of the country's victory, the Pakistani occupation forces picked up prominent journalists, intellectuals, professors, scientists and distinguished personalities of civil society of Bangladesh and killed them. In 1971, we lost great personalities of the nation. On behalf of Jatiyatabadi Dal, party chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman, we all paid homage and prayed for the forgiveness of the martyred intellectuals,” he added.
Akhtar Hossain, secretary general of the Jatiya Nagarik Committee, highlighted the lessons of 1971 and the ongoing struggle for freedom and equality.
He said: “We hope on this day that no more regimes like the toppled fascist one return to this country, regimes that suppress freedom of speech and activity as happened under the Pakistan regime, whom killed our martyred intellectuals”.
Akhtar further said: “In 1971, people sought equality, basic human rights, and justice. Under the Hasina regime, the aspirations of the liberation war were suppressed. In the uprising of 2024, people once again fought for the vision of 1971. We urge the people to maintain unity until we achieve a truly nondiscriminatory Bangladesh.”
Zonayed Saki, chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon, stressed the need for systemic reforms to ensure a balanced and accountable governance structure.
“The Constitution was made in a way where all the power structure was centralised in one hand. Reforming state institutions, decentralising power, and ensuring accountability are pivotal aspirations of this new Bangladesh after the 2024 uprising,” Saki said.
He added: “We need to build a democratic constitution that reflects these ideals.”
Besides, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosthi,University Grant Commission, Communist Party Bangladesh, Bangladesh Chhatra Federation, National Democratic Party and many BNP aligned group came to pay homage to the Martyred Intellectual Memorial in Mirpur.
