The nation is observing the Martyred Intellectuals Day today to commemorate the intellectuals killed systematically by Pakistan occupation forces and their local collaborators at the fag-end of the Liberation War in 1971. On this day in 1971, the country’s renowned academicians, doctors, engineers, journalists, artists, teachers and other eminent personalities were dragged out of their homes, blindfolded and taken to unknown places and then brutally tortured and murdered. Their bodies were later dumped at Rayerbazar, Mirpur and some other killing fields in the capital. Sensing an imminent defeat, the Pakistani forces and their local collaborators like Al-Badr, Al-Shams and Razakar committed the cold-blooded mass murders aiming to annihilate the country's intelligentsia and cripple emerging Bangladesh intellectually. Among the martyred intellectuals are Prof Munier Chowdhury, Dr Alim Chowdhury, Prof Muniruzzaman, Dr Fazle Rabbi, Sirajuddin Hossain, Shahidullah Kaiser, Prof GC Dev, JC Guha Thakurta, Prof Santosh Bhattacharya, Mofazzal Haider Chowdhury, journalists Khandaker Abu Taleb, Nizamuddin Ahmed, SA Mannan (Ladu Bhai), ANM Golam Mustafa, Syed Nazmul Haq and Selina Parvin. IU set to observe Martyred Intellectual Day, Victory Day The interim government has chalked out elaborate programmes to commemorate the December 14 tragedy. Besides, the family members of the martyred intellectuals and freedom fighters are paying homage to the martyred intellectuals marking the day.   The President and the Chief Adviser issued separate messages marking the day on Friday. The President in a message said, "I call upon all to play an effective role from their respective positions to build a new Bangladesh, inspired by the spirit of non-discrimination." In his message, Chief Adviser Prof. Yunus said that the interim government, formed through the mass uprising, is committed to building a developed, prosperous, and well-governed Bangladesh. He also called on everyone to unite, resist any conspiracy by anti-liberation forces, and fulfill their responsibilities from their respective positions. Leaders and activists of different political and social organisations are also paying homage to the martyred intellectuals at Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals' Graveyard. Special doa and munajat are scheduled to be offered at mosques, temples and churches marking the day. Bangladesh Television and private television channels are broadcasting special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.

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. BNP announces programmes to mark Martyred Intellectuals Day, V Day “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.