Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan said on Wednesday that Bangladesh is now fully independent and that its citizens will never feel enslaved on this land again. "The country is now fully independent. The bloody people’s uprising of February 24 protected the independence we gained in 1971. This independence will remain in the days to come. Never again will the people of this country feel enslaved on an independent land,” he told reporters after paying tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar on the occasion Independence and National Day. 1971 and 24 are naturally interlinked: Nahid Islam He reflected on the significance of the 1971 Liberation War, saying, "1971 gave birth to the country, which is why we have gained independence. We believe that the successful people’s uprising of the July Revolution of 24th February protected that independence. As a result, the fascists fled. The country is now fully independent, in exchange for blood." The adviser spoke about the concept of independence in the past 16 years. He said that despite the struggle for independence, the essence of that independence had been undermined in recent years. There’s nothing like ‘2nd independence’ in sovereign Bangladesh: Mirza Abbas "We believe that until every citizen of the country feels that they are free, that they have freedom of speech, and freedom of expression, there is no benefit in a land being independent. We believe that 24th February protected that independence. The self-sacrifice of the student masses has completed that independence,” he said.

The celebration of the great Independence and National Day-2025 started at dawn on Wednesday with a 31-gun salute. An artillery regiment of the Bangladesh Army stationed at the Old Airport (Tejgaon) area in Dhaka fired six guns, marking the 31-gun salute in honor of the martyrs of the great Liberation War, according to a press release from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Home adviser pays tributes at Razarbagh Police Memorial As in previous years, Independence and National Day was celebrated with the utmost respect, enthusiasm, and fervor, it said.

Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury paid tributes to the valiant police personnel who were martyred during the Liberation War on Wednesday.  The adviser placed wreaths at the Razarbagh Police Lines Memorial in the morning morning. Dr Yunus pays homage to Liberation War martyrs; vows reforms Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Md Khoda Bakhsh Chowdhury and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam, DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali, and RAB Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman were also present.

President of India Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have extended felicitations on the occasion of the National Day of Bangladesh with India reiterating its commitment to advancing partnership for peace, stability and prosperity. "We remain committed to advancing this partnership, driven by our common aspirations for peace, stability, and prosperity and based on mutual sensitivity to each other's interests and concerns," Modi said in a message to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. Modi extended his felicitations to Dr Yunus and the people of Bangladesh on the occasion of the National Day of Bangladesh. "This day stands as a testament to our shared history and sacrifices, that have laid the foundation of our bilateral partnership," said the Indian Prime Minister. He said the spirit of the Liberation War of Bangladesh continues to remain a guiding light for the relationship, which has flourished across multiple domains, bringing tangible benefits to our peoples. President Droupadi Murmu, in her message to Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin, said, "On behalf of the Government, the people of India and on my own behalf, I extend warm greetings and felicitations to you and to the friendly people of Bangladesh on the occasion of your National Day." Bangladesh, China to sign key deals as Dr Yunus to meet Xi in Beijing on March 28 She said Bangladesh-India relations are multi-faceted with our cooperation encompassing diverse areas such as trade, multimodal connectivity, development partnership, power and energy, education, capacity building, cultural cooperation and people-to people exchanges. The Indian President said Bangladesh is at the focus of India's "Neighborhood First" and "Act East" policies. "Our SAGAR doctrine and the Indo-Pacific Vision. India reiterates its support for a democratic, stable, inclusive, peaceful and progressive Bangladesh," she said.

The nation is set to celebrate the 55th Independence and National Day on Wednesday with elaborate programmes and due respect. The armed struggle for national independence formally began in the early hours of March 26 following the brutal crackdown on the unarmed Bengalis on the ‘black night’ of March 25. Thus March 26 is celebrated as the Independence and National Day. After the nine-month War of Liberation with the supreme sacrifices of three million people and at the cost of chastity of two lakh women, Bangladesh achieved its cherished independence on December 16, 1971. The day is a public holiday. The interim government has taken up elaborate programmes at the national level to celebrate the Independence and National Day. The day will begin with a 31-gun salute in the morning across the country including in Dhaka, said a press release of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs on Monday. President Md. Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus will lay wreaths early in the morning to pay profound respect to the memories of the martyrs of 1971. Later the families of the Birsreshtha, war-wounded freedom fighters, and brave freedom fighters led by Liberation War Affairs adviser, will also lay wreaths. People from all walks of life including foreign diplomats, political leaders, and representatives from social, cultural, and professional bodies will lay wreaths at the National Memorial. Besides, wreaths will be laid at district and upazila memorials across the country. National flag will be hoisted, and the national anthem will be performed at all divisions, districts, and upazilas. Student rallies and parades will also take place. On this day, the national flag will be hoisted atop all government, semi-government, autonomous, and private buildings. In Dhaka, the national flag will be hoisted atop prominent buildings and the important establishments will be illuminated. However, lighting will not be permitted on the black night of genocide on 25th March. Main roads and traffic islands in Dhaka and other cities will be decorated with national flag and other flags. President Md. Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus have issued separate messages on the occasion. National dailies will bring out special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private radio stations and television channels will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the day. Different political parties as well as socio-cultural and professional organisations have drawn elaborate programmes to observe the day in a befitting manner. In his message, the president said on March 26, 1971, through the Declaration of Independence, an independent and sovereign Bangladesh was born. The final victory was achieved through a nine-month-long armed War of Independence. Recalling with deep respect the millions of martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the liberation war, the president said “To achieve the desired goal of independence, democracy must be strengthened and forbearance, human rights and the rule of law have to be consolidated. Equity, transparency and accountability must be ensured in all spheres of the state and society. The young generation once again shed their blood in the July mass uprising to realise our unfulfilled dreams of independence. Building a safe, happy, beautiful, developed and prosperous Bangladesh for the new generation is now our sacred duty.” He also urged all to contribute more from their respective positions to build a society free from all forms of discrimination and exploitation in realising the goal of independence and steer the country and the nation forward on the path of development and prosperity. In his message, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said “I extend my sincere greetings and congratulations to all Bangladeshis living in the country and abroad.” Achieving independence was the final stage of a long struggle to protect our dignity and existence and to gain our rights. The bloody War of Independence, through which Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation in the world, officially began on this day. I remember with reverence the valiant martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the War of Independence, whose supreme sacrifices brought us our desired freedom, he said. “For the past 16 years, the people of the country have not been able to enjoy the benefits of this freedom. The dictatorship oppressed the people and took away their freedom and all their basic rights. The successful uprising of student-workers and the masses has liberated the people of the country from the tyranny of dictatorship,” said the message The interim government is fully committed to further developing and strengthening the country and delivering the full benefits of independence to the people. “We are working to establish good governance and justice to ensure people-orientated and sustainable development, and ensure transparency and accountability through necessary reforms in all spheres of the state.” He also urged all to take the oath to work for the development, peace and prosperity of the country, keeping in mind the spirit of the great liberation war.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus will address the nation on Tuesday evening. The Chief Adviser will start to deliver his speech at 7pm on the occasion of Independence Day and Eid-ul-Fitr, said CA's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. Chief Adviser Prof Yunus to address the nation at 7:30 pm today The speech will be aired by Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar.

The government has taken elaborate programmes at the national level to celebrate the Independence and National Day on 26th March. The day will begin with a 31-gun salute in the morning across the country including in Dhaka,  said a press release of the  Ministry of Liberation War Affairs on Monday. President Md. Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus will lay wreaths early in the morning to pay profound respect to the memories of the martyrs of 1971. Later the families of the Birsreshtha, war-wounded freedom fighters, and brave freedom fighters led by Liberation War Affairs Adviser, will also lay wreaths. BNP works out Independence Day programme People from all walks of life including foreign diplomats, political leaders, and representatives from social, cultural, and professional bodies will lay wreaths at the National Memorial. Besides, wreaths will be laid at district and upazila memorials across the country. National flags will be hoisted, and the national anthem will be performed at all divisions, districts, and upazilas. Student rallies and parades will also take place. On this day, the national flag will be hoisted atop all government, semi-government, autonomous, and private buildings. In Dhaka, the national flag will be hoisted atop prominent buildings and important establishments will be illuminated. However, lighting will not be permitted on the black night of genocide on 25th March. DU announces programmes for Independence Day celebration Main roads and traffic islands in Dhaka and other cities will be decorated with national flags and other flags. This day is a public holiday. The President and the Chief Adviser will also issue messages on the occasion.  

The Dhaka University authorities have taken elaborate progrmme  on the occasion of the Great Independence and National Day on 26th March. DU Public Relations Office issued a press release in this regard on Sunday. The programmes include discussion meeting on 25 March, laying wreaths at the national memorial, special prayers, illumination of important buildings and establishments. The national flag will be hoisted at all central academic buildings and residential halls of the university at 6 am.  Teachers, students, officials, staff, and alumni will gather at Smriti Chirantan Square at 6 an and then at  6:15 am under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor they will proceed towards the national memorial, where they will lay wreaths. DU 'Ga' unit admission test results postponed After Jahur prayers, a special prayer will be held at the central mosque (Masjidul Jamiya) for the forgiveness of martyred intellectuals. Special prayers will also be held at other places of worship. Besides, Curzon Hall and TSC will be illuminated, and sweets will be distributed among the children of university employees. A discussion meeting titled "Significance of the Great Independence and National Day" will be held at the auditorium of the Teacher-Student Center (TSC) on March 25 at 11:30  am. The Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan, will preside over the meeting.

Myanmar’s military government will release more than 6,000 prisoners and has reduced other inmates’ sentences as part of a mass amnesty on Saturday marking the 77th anniversary of independence from Britain. It wasn’t immediately clear if those released would include any of the thousands of political detainees locked up for opposing army rule since the military seized power in February 2021 from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. That takeover was met with massive nonviolent resistance, which has since become a widespread armed struggle. State-run MRTV television reported that Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the military government, granted amnesties covering 5,864 prisoners from Myanmar, as well as 180 foreigners who will be deported. Mass prisoner releases are common on holidays and other significant occasions in Myanmar. The foreigners to be released could include four Thai fishermen who were arrested by Myanmar’s navy in late November after patrol boats opened fire on Thai fishing vessels in waters close to their maritime border in the Andaman Sea. Thailand's prime minister has said she expects the four to be released on Independence Day. Myanmar's Military introduces cybersecurity law with extensive censorship clauses The terms of release warn that if the freed detainees violate the law again, they will have to serve the remainder of their original sentences in addition to any new sentence. In a separate report, it said Min Aung Hlaing had commuted the life sentences of 144 prisoners to 15 years imprisonment. The report provided no details about them. The report also said that all other prisoners will have their sentences reduced by one sixth, except those convicted under the Explosive Substances Act, the Unlawful Associations Act, the Arms Act and the Counter-terrorism Law, all laws which are often used against opponent military rule. Myanmar did not release many details of the prisoners being freed, but many were held on charges related to protests, including Section 505(A) of Myanmar’s penal code, which makes it a crime to spread comments that create public unrest or fear or spread false news. Prisoner releases began on Saturday but can take a few days to be completed. At Insein Prison in the country’s biggest city of Yangon, which is notorious for decades for housing political detainees, relatives of prisoners gathered at the gates from early morning. There was no sign that the prisoner release would include Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been held virtually incommunicado by the military since its seizer of power. The 79-year-old Suu Kyi is serving a 27-year sentence after being convicted of a series of politically tinged prosecutions brought by the military. Her supporters and independent analysts say the cases against her are an attempt to discredit her and legitimize the military’s seizure of power while keeping her from taking part in the military’s promised election, for which no date has yet been set. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a rights monitoring organization, 28,096 people have been arrested on political charges since the army takeover. Of those arrested, 21,499 people were still in detention as of Friday, the AAPP reported. At least 6,106 civilians have been killed by security forces in the same period, the group says. Its tally does not include all casualties from combat. US reaffirms support for Rohingya amid concern over Myanmar Myanmar became a British colony in the late 19th century and regained its independence on Jan. 4, 1948. In the capital Naypyitaw, Myanmar’s military government celebrated the anniversary with a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall.

The government of Bangladesh has said as a party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child it would not tolerate any act of abusing children, noting that Prothom Alo journalist Shamsuzzaman Shams was arrested because of “child abuse and exploitation”. "The government would also not accept any such effort aimed at maligning the Independence Day of the nation," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said today (April 01, 2023). The government of Bangladesh is committed to uphold the freedom of expression for all its citizens and the media, the foreign ministry said. Read More: Prothom Alo journalist Shams denied bail, sent to jail However, it said, creating social unrest by undertaking such “fraudulent acts” is contrary to the spirit of honest journalism. The ministry said it has been brought to the notice of the government that some international media and institutions are claiming that a journalist in Bangladesh, named Shamsuzzaman, has been arrested as he wrote about the “cost of living in Bangladesh”. "This information is totally false and fabricated. This journalist was arrested because of ‘child abuse’ and ‘child exploitation," the foreign ministry said. Many media outlets have been continuously reporting on the cost of living in Bangladesh since the beginning of the Ukraine war which has caused inflation around the world. Read More: Prothom Alo journalist Shams taken to court "No one has been arrested due to such reporting. The said journalist was arrested because of child abuse and child exploitation, as he offered ten taka to a 9-year-old boy and then expressed his own views in the name of that child," the ministry said. "That is surely an act of child abuse and exploitation. Secondly, he tried to undermine the independence of Bangladesh on the great Independence Day. These acts are surely tantamount to punishable crimes," the foreign ministry said. Read More: Prothom Alo reporter Shamsuzzaman sued under DSA