BNP will observe what it calls the ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’ on Monday, marking the ‘civil-military uprising' of November 7, 1975. On this day in 1975, amid political turmoil, soldiers and civilians jointly freed then chief of army staff Ziaur Rahman from captivity in Dhaka Cantonment, paving the way for him to come to power. Read more: BNP’s Sylhet divisional rally on Nov 19 instead of 20 BNP has chalked out various programmes to observe the day with due respect. Besides, BNP’s associate bodies and all units will hold various programmes, including discussions, cultural programmes, essay competitions, photo exhibitions and publishing supplements in newspapers, across the country to mark the day with due respect. As part of the programmes, the party flag will be hoisted atop all its offices across the country on Monday morning while BNP leaders and activists, led by party standing committee members, will place wreaths and offer fateha at the grave of their founder, ex- President Ziaur Rahman at 11am. Read more: BNP divisional rally begins at packed Barishal venue The party will also arrange an open discussion meeting in front of its Nayapaltan central office at 2pm on the same day. While BNP and its alliance partners celebrate November 7 as the National Revolution and Solidarity Day, the ruling Awami League and its front organisations consider it as a day of freedom fighters getting killed.

Amid the uproar centering his “let the weapons of 1975 roar again”  comment, Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal (JSSD) General Secretary Abdul Quader Bhuiyan Jewel on Sunday said it was just to evoke the civil-military uprising” on November 7, 1975’. In a statement, Jewel also said he tried to invigorate their party leaders and activists to intensify their current movement for the restoration of democracy and unconditional release of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia by reminding them of the spirit of November 7, 1975. Also read: BNP, other political parties to be invited to Padma Bridge inaugural function: Quader “BNP believes in the spirit of November 7, 1975 as on that day martyred President Ziaur Rahman was released from captivity through the civil-military uprising,” Jewel said. He also said an unprecedented example of solidarity was created in the politics of Bangladesh on November 7, 1975. “So, we consider that day of '75' as our political weapons. “The main purpose of my comment on roaring the weapons of 1975 again, was to remind that political weapons or revolutionary spirit of November 7 for intensifying the movement for restoration of democracy and for the unconditional release of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia,” Jewel explained. Also read:Getting rousing response to forge greater unity: Mosharraf He bemoaned that a vested quarter has been trying to misinterpret his remark by involving it with the tragic assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members on August 15, 1975 with an ulterior motive. “It’s very sad. It’s nothing but making an effort to create a ground for political revenge.” Jewel hoped that his explanation will help remove the confusion created by the vested quarter. At a rally in the city on May 24, Jewel reportedly said they are ready to roar again as weapons of 1975 in the interest of democracy.

BNP observed what it calls the ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’ on Sunday remembering ‘civil-military uprising’ on November 17 in 1975. BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir along with party senior leaders paid homage to its founder Ziaur Rahman by placing a wreath at his grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, marking the day. Read:BNP to observe Nov 7 as ‘Nat'l Revolution & Solidarity Day’ They also offered fateha and joined a munajat there seeking eternal peace for Zia's departed soul. On that day in 1975, amid political turmoil, soldiers and civilians jointly freed then chief of army staff Ziaur Rahman from captivity in Dhaka cantonment, paving the way for him to come to power. BNP chalked out various programmes to observe the day with due respect. As part of the programmes, the party flag was hoisted atop all its offices across the country in the morning. The party arranged a discussion at Mohanagar Natya Mancha on Saturday in observance of the day. Read: People facing “starving-like situation”: BNP Besides, BNP’s associate bodies also observed the day with various programmes, including discussions, cultural programmes, and publishing supplements in newspapers. When BNP and its alliances celebrate November 7 as the National Revolution and Solidarity Day, the ruling Awami League and its front organisations consider it as the day of 'killing of freedom fighters'. Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob) observes it as the day of civil-military revolution.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday claimed that “Bangladesh became independent for the second time through the ‘civil-military uprising in 1975”.