The killing of intellectuals in a planned and brutal massacre during the Liberation War was the most heinous act of vengeance by anti-liberation forces after their defeat, remarked Chief Adviser of the interim government, Dr Muhammad Yunus.

In a message issued on Friday marking the occasion of Shaheed Buddhijibi Dibosh (Martyred Intellectuals Day), to be observed on Saturday, Dr Yunus paid deep respects to the martyred intellectuals and valiant heroes of the Liberation War, praying for the peace and salvation of their departed souls.

Martyred Intellectuals Day to be observed Saturday

Terming Martyred Intellectuals Day a "disgraceful chapter" in Bangladesh's history, he said, “In the final days of the Liberation War, realising their imminent defeat, the Pakistani occupation forces and their collaborators killed the intellectuals of Bangladesh in a ruthless attempt to leave the nation bereft of its brightest minds.”

He elaborated, saying, "On the brink of victory, anti-liberation forces targeted and killed eminent academics, journalists, writers, doctors, scientists, lawyers, artists, engineers, philosophers and political thinkers to cripple the intellectual foundation of the newly emerging nation."

Among the martyrs were Dhaka University professors Mofazzal Haider Chaudhury, Munier Chowdhury, and Anwar Pasha; journalist Shahidullah Kaiser; writer Selina Parveen; physician Dr Fazle Rabbi; lawyer Abdul Alim Chaudhury; and others such as Dr Jyotirmoy Guhathakurta, Sirajuddin Hossain, and Giasuddin.

Dr Yunus said that the primary aim of these atrocities was to render the Bengali nation intellectually incapacitated.

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“This orchestrated and barbaric act of mass murder was the ultimate revenge of the anti-liberation forces after their failure in the war,” he said.

On the occasion of Martyred Intellectuals Day, the Chief Adviser urged everyone to remain united and resolute in their efforts to thwart any conspiracies or machinations by anti-liberation forces.

He called on all citizens to fulfil their responsibilities from their respective positions to uphold the values of the Liberation War and protect the nation from threats to its freedom and progress.