‘Genocide Day’ is being observed today — recalling the brutalities of the Pakistan army during Operation Searchlight, launched on the night of March 25 in 1971 as a last resort to try and suppress the will of the people of what would become, in less than nine months, an independent Bangladesh. On the night of March 25 in 1971, the Pakistani military junta resorted to mass killings and arson in Dhaka to implement their blueprint to thwart Awami League assuming office following its victory in the 1970 election. In the attack dubbed 'Operation Searchlight', the Pakistani forces mercilessly killed Bangalee members of the East Pakistan Rifles and police, students, teachers and common people. They killed people indiscriminately, set houses on fire and looted business establishments, leaving a trail of destruction. The night also witnessed Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s proclamation of independence before he was arrested by the Pakistani troops and subsequently flown to West Pakistan. The day is being observed as Genocide Day officially for the seventh time in the country since the parliament unanimously adopted a resolution on March 11, 2017. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on this occasion. Also read; Genocide Day to be observed on Saturday Political parties have taken up programmes in observance of the day. Cultural organizations have arranged seminars, programmes and performances on genocide. Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television as well as private TV channels and radio stations are airing special programmes while national dailies have published supplements marking the day. Meanwhile religious establishments will hold special prayers for the martyrs.  

The facts of 1971 Genocide are well documented, yet it has not been recognized in the UN discourses, says Bangladesh. "We believe UN's mandate to advance prevention will be incomplete if the past tragedies, such as ours, remain un-recognized," said Ambassador Rabab Fatima, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations. She made the remarks at a virtual seminar on “Genocide prevention: recognition of past tragedies and restoring dignity of victims” organized by the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN in New York as part of the observance of the National Genocide Day 2022. Also read: Genocide Day: Bangladesh observes symbolic one-minute blackout

Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Friday observed the Genocide Day.  The programme began with a moment of silence in remembrance of the Bengalees who were killed in the fateful night of 25 March 1971 as well as the martyrs of the liberation war of Bangladesh. Read: 1971 Genocide: FM says it’s a shame for Pakistan Messages issued by President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina marking the Genocide Day were read out. Assistant Defence Adviser of the Mission Lt. Colonel Md. Kamrul Hassan read out the message of the President and Counsellor Shahed Bin Aziz read out the message of the Prime Minister respectively. Screening of a documentary on the 1971 Genocide by the Pakistan Army and a discussion on the day were highlights of the programme, said a press release from the mission. Read: AL appeals for global recognition of 1971 genocide High Commissioner Muhammad Imran said the Pakistani aggressors  in the name of 'Operation Searchlight’ wanted to stop the independence-seeking people and committed the most brutal killings in the history throughout the country. He also remembered the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with profound respect under whose leadership Bangladesh achieved independence through a nine-month long blood stained war.

Exactly at 9pm on Friday, Bangladesh will plunge into darkness to mark Genocide Day. The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has decided to observe a nationwide one-minute symbolic ‘blackout’ on Friday night marking Genocide Day. On the black night of March 25 in 1971, the Pakistani military junta resorted to mass killings in Dhaka to implement its blueprint to thwart the Awami League's assumption of office following the election mandate of 1970. In the attack dubbed 'Operation Searchlight', the Pakistani security forces mercilessly killed nearly three million people -- Bengali members of the East Pakistan Rifles and police, students, teachers and people. The Pakistani forces also set thousands of properties on fire and looted business establishments. Also read: Genocide Day to be observed on Friday The day is being observed as Genocide Day officially for the sixth time in the country since the Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution on March 11, 2017. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have already issued separate messages on this occasion. "The observance of Genocide Day is a recognition of the great sacrifices made by three million Bengalis in the liberation struggle of Bangladesh," the President said. "It is also a symbol of protest against the genocide committed by the then Pakistani aggressors." According to the President, the horrific genocide of 1971 is a black chapter not only in Bangladesh but also in the history of world humanity. "The pledge that such genocide does not happen anywhere else will be reflected worldwide through the observance of the Genocide Day." In her message, the PM said that genocide, oppression, and other humanitarian disasters are still happening in some parts of the world. “I believe that by following the ideals of peace enunciated by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and avoiding all forms of discrimination, communalism, and colonialism we can build a peaceful world order." The PM called upon the people to unite for building Bangabandhu’s Sonar Bangla in the spirit of the War of Liberation and following his ideals. Political parties and cultural organisations have lined up programmes to mark the day. Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television as well as private television channels and radio stations are airing special programmes while national dailies published supplements marking the day. Meanwhile different religious organisations will hold special prayers and doa mehfil praying for peace. Also read: Genocide Day observed in Jordan Similar programmes have been arranged at district and upazila levels and by Bangladesh embassies in different countries to highlight the significance of the day.

Bangladesh will observe ‘Genocide Day’ on Friday, to commemorate brutalities of Pakistan army during the Operation Searchlight they had launched on the night of March 25 in 1971, as a last resort to try and suppress the will of the people of what would become, in less than nine months, an independent Bangladesh.  Organisers have called for a nationwide symbolic one-minute ‘Black Out’ and silence at 9 pm on Friday tomark the day. On the Black Night of March 25 in 1971, the Pakistani military junta resorted to mass killings and arson in Dhaka to implement their blueprint to thwart the Awami League's assumption of office following the election mandate of 1970. In the attack dubbed 'Operation Searchlight', the Pakistani forces mercilessly killed the Bangalee members of the East Pakistan Rifles and police, students, teachers and common people. They killed people indiscriminately, set fire to the houses and property and looted business establishments, leaving a trail of destruction. Read: Bangladesh makes good progress despite Covid pandemic: PM The night also witnessed Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s proclamation of independence before he was arrested by the Pakistani troops and subsequently flown to West Pakistan. The day is being observed as Genocide Day officially for the sixth time in the country since the Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution on March 11, 2017. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on this occasion. The president said “The observance of Genocide Day is a recognition of the great sacrifices made by three million Bengalis in the liberation struggle of Bangladesh.” It is also a symbol of protest against the genocide committed by the then Pakistani aggressors. “The horrific genocide of 1971 is a black chapter not only in Bangladesh but also in the history of world humanity. The pledge that such genocide does not happen anywhere else will be reflected worldwide through the observance of the Genocide Day” he said In her message, the prime minister said that genocide, oppression, and other humanitarian disasters are still happening in some parts of the world. “I believe that by following the ideals of peace enunciated by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and avoiding all forms of discrimination, communalism, and colonialism we can build a peaceful world order” Read: Dhaka, Moscow working out modalities to keep transactions, trade uninterrupted: Russian envoy The PM called upon the people to unite for building Bangabandhu’s Sonar Bangla in the spirit of the War of Liberation and following his ideals. Political parties have taken up programmes in observance of the day. Different cultural organizations will arrange seminars, cultural programmes lyrical drama on genocide. Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television as well as private television channels and radio stations will air special programmes while national dailies will publish supplements marking the day. Meanwhile different religious organizations will hold special prayers and doa mehfil praying for peace to the deceased.   

Bangladesh High Commissioner to Canada High Dr Khalilur Rahman has said the Pakistani war criminals should be brought under due trial without which the process of doing justice to the victims of the 1971 Genocide in Bangladesh would not be done. While addressing a Genocide Day discussion in Ottawa, he said it is their duty to inform the international community about the genocide that took place in Bangladesh. “Efforts are on to get the Genocide Day recognised internationally.” Also read: Trial of Pakistan's 1971 Genocide: It's for Bangladesh to decide The High Commissioner said he is trying to establish a genocide corner at the Human Rights Museum in Winnipeg with the objective of mobilising public opinion in support of getting Genocide Day recognised internationally. The Bangladesh High Commission in Ottawa observed National Genocide Day of Bangladesh on Thursday. The programme includes the observance of silence, reading out of the messages followed by a special discussion. The Bangladesh High Commissioner, Deputy High Commissioner and all the officers and officials of the High Commission were present at the event. A one-minute silence was observed to pay homage to all the martyrs and then the messages of the President and Prime Minister were read out by the officers of the High Commission for the audiences. At the open discussion held on the importance and the significance of the day, the speakers said 50 years back, on 25 March 1971, Pakistan Army launched “Operation Searchlight” resulting in the worst genocide in human history over a period of nine months till the Pakistan Forces were defeated by the Bangladesh Freedom Fighters under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Also read: War crimes trial to continue even if Jamaat seeks mercy: Quader They emphasised that this day should be internationally recognised, and all should work together in this regard. High Commissioner Rahman first paid homage to the Father of the Nation for leading the nation to achieve Independence. He also paid respect to all victims of Genocide in 1971, the martyrs and tortured women and the valiant freedom fighters for whose sacrifice the country achieved Independence. The High Commissioner said the observance of the Genocide Day should have been started earlier than 2017as it is an immensely important day in Bangladesh’s history. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her decision to observe the day as Genocide Day from 2017. The High Commissioner said it was the decision of the Prime Minister to establish the International War Crimes Tribunal after winning the elections in 2008. He mentioned that the International War Criminal Tribunal already tried and convicted Bangladeshi collaborators and associates of the Pakistani war criminals. Also read: No war criminals at Victory Day programmes: Minister

The Embassy of Bangladesh in Amman, Jordan has observed the Genocide Day 2021 with due solemnity. Due to the ongoing lockdown and social distancing measures of the Jordanian government, the Embassy had to arrange the event in a very limited scale. A number of Bangladesh community members living in Amman joined the Embassy officials and staff members in commemorating the Genocide Day, said a media release on Thursday night. The programme commenced with the reading out of verses from the Holy Quran.   Then, a one-minute silence was observed in remembrance of the martyrs of 25th March and the War of Independence. 

Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Thursday observed the Genocide Day. The programme began with a moment of silence in remembrance of those who were killed on the fateful night of 25 March 1971 as well as the martyrs of the Liberation War of Bangladesh. Reading out of the messages from President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the occasion of the Genocide Day, screening of a documentary on the 1971 Genocide by the Pakistan Army and a discussion on the significance of the day were the highlights of the programme. At the discussion, Minister (Consular) of the High Commission Selim Md Jahangir said that in the name of 'Operation Searchlight’, the Pakistani aggressors wanted to stop the resistance of the independence-seeking people and committed the most brutal killings in the history throughout the country. Also read: One-Min blackout to mark Genocide Day He said the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was arrested by the Pakistani army in the early hour of 26 March 1971 but before that he declared the Independence and with the direction of Bangabandhu Bangladesh achieved victory on 16 December 1971. Acting High Commissioner Rokebul Haque said, "Observing this day as the genocide day is a recognition of the great sacrifices made by the Bengalis during the Liberation War of Bangladesh." He remembered with deep reverence all the martyrs who were killed during the Liberation War of Bangladesh. Rokebul Haque also remembered the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with profound respect under whose leadership Bangladesh achieved Independence through a nine-month long blood stained war. Also read: Bangladesh Mission in Delhi observes Genocide Day He claimed that the horrific genocide of 1971 is a black mark not only in the history of Bangladesh but also for the entire humanity. At the end of the programme a special prayer was conducted for the salvation of the departed souls of all the martyrs of the liberation war of Bangladesh.

A one-minute blackout will be observed in Bangladesh on Thursday night to mark 'Genocide Day', amid fears of a second wave of the Covid pandemic. On the black night of March 25 in 1971, the Pakistani military junta resorted to mass killings in Dhaka to implement its blueprint to thwart the Awami League's assumption of office following the election mandate of 1970. Also read: Trial of Pakistan's 1971 Genocide: It's for Bangladesh to decide In the attack dubbed 'Operation Searchlight', the Pakistani security forces mercilessly killed nearly three million people -- Bangali members of the East Pakistan Rifles and police, students, teachers and common people. The Pakistani forces also set thousands of properties on fire and looted business establishments. This is the third time that Bangladesh is observing Genocide Day since Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution on March 11, 2017. This year, however, there will be no outdoor programme due to the prevailing Covid situation. Only a one-minute blackout is slated to be observed from 9pm to 9.01pm across the country. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have already issued separate messages on the occasion. Also read: One minute ‘blackout’ at 9 pm on March 25 night In her message, the Prime Minister said,  “On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Day of Genocide, we pledge to uphold the freedom that we have earned in exchange for the three million martyrs and the respect of two hundred thousand tortured mothers and sisters, if necessary, in exchange for our supreme sacrifices.” “Resisting all immediate conspiracies and be inspired by the spirit of the Great Liberation War, we shall play a concerted role in the realisation of the dream of the Father of the Nation for building a non-communal, hunger-free and prosperous Bangladesh, Insha Allah," she said. “I wish all-out success to the programmes taken on the occasion of 'Genocide Day'," the PM said. President Hamid said, “On the eve of the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation and the Golden Jubilee of Independence, I call upon all, irrespective of party affiliation, to contribute from their respective positions in the implementation of these programmes.” Also read: Genocide Day' observed  “We can pay our eternal respect to every soul who gave his life in 1971 genocide, by turning the country into the ‘Sonar Bangla’ as dreamt by Bangabandhu,” he said.

Schools and colleges across the country are likely to remain shut until Eid-ul-Fitr vacation if the recent spike in Coronavirus infections continues, said Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni on Thursday. “The closure of primary, secondary and higher secondary-level institutions is likely to be extended until Eid-ul-Fitr like universities if the coronavirus cases continue to rise. A decision in this regard will be taken after a meeting with the National Technical Advisory Committee formed to fight the Covid-19 pandemic,” she said. Also read: Covid-19: Educational institutions reopening may be delayed The decision over reopening of the schools and colleges will be revealed by tomorrow (Friday), said the minister while talking to reporters after attending a meeting arranged at Bangabandhu Avenue, marking Genocide Day. The government shut educational institutions on March 17 last year after the country reported its first Covid-19 cases on March 8. The closure was extended several times, most recently until late March this year. On February 22 the education minister announced that university classes will resume on May 24. University dormitories were scheduled to be reopened on May 17. Besides, classes in all primary, secondary and higher secondary-level educational institutions were scheduled to resume on March 30. Also read: Bangladesh's daily Covid-19 cases stay over 1,000 for 3 days Meanwhile, Covid-19 claimed 25 more lives and infected 3,567 others in 24 hours till Wednesday morning amid an alarming spike in cases over the past few weeks in Bangladesh. The coronavirus fatalities rose to 8,763 with the latest figure while the new cases pushed the total infections to 580,808, according to a handout of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). With the fresh 3,537 cases, Bangladesh has seen the worst daily increase in daily numbers for the second consecutive day since July 15, 2020. The free movement of people ignoring health protocols is believed to be the reason behind the recent upsurge in cases.