December, the glorious month of victory and pride for the nation, has begun today (Thursday). The nation earned its liberation after a nine-month long hard battle with the Pakistani occupation forces and materialized victory on December 16 of this month.

Around 51 years ago, on December 16, 1971, Bangladesh got its long-cherished victory against Pakistani army after a nine-month war.

In the elections of December 7 in 1970, the Awami League won 160 out of 162 seats in East Pakistan, all but two, and would have had a clear majority in the new assembly had it been convened Sheikh Mujibur Rahman became the majority party leader of the Pakistan National Assembly.

The military rulers of Pakistan refused to allow the Awami League to form a government.

A full-scale movement of non-cooperation with the military government began on the 26th of March, 1971 which is celebrated as the Independence Day every year. Thus, Bangladesh plunged into a gory war seeking its own birth.

The war broke out on 26 March 1971, when the Pakistani Army launched a military operation called Operation Searchlight against Bengali civilians, students, intelligentsia and armed personnel.

The trauma of nine months, the sacrifices of thirty lakh souls, the rape of two lakh women and the pillaging of villages and towns culminated in the final victory.

Different political, socio-cultural organizations chalk out programs to celebrate the nation’s victory that was achieved under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The programmes will include placing of wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in capital and processions, discussions, photo exhibition and cultural events.

Different socio-political, educational and cultural institutions and organisations have chalked out various programmes to celebrate the nation's great victory that was achieved under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Like the previous years, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad) and organisations of freedom fighters are observing  December 1 as the Freedom Fighters Day. 

Marking the day, Jasad central committee leaders will place wreaths at the graveyard of valiant freedom fighters at Mirpur. 

It will also pay homage at the 'Shikha Chirantan' in the Suhrawardy Udyan today.

On December 14, the nation will observe Martyred Intellectuals’ Day to commemorate those intellectuals who were killed by Pakistani forces and their collaborators during the 1971 Liberation War, particularly on 25 March and 14 December 1971.

The Victory Day of the country will be celebrated on December 16 paying homage to the martyrs for their supreme sacrifice for freeing the country from the misrule and occupation of Pakistani ruler.

BDST: 1314 HRS, DEC 01, 2022
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