BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday hoped that the interim government will arrange the national election soon in line with people's desire.  "We’re always optimistic. We’re cooperating with the interim government. Hopefully, an election will be arranged soon as per the will of the people," he said while speaking to reporters after paying homage to the martyred intellectuals. The BNP leader said people will get the opportunity to elect their representatives through a free, fair, and impartial election. BNP pays homage to martyred intellectuals Fakhrul said a new opportunity to build the country has been created by defeating the fascist forces through the student-led July-August mass uprising. “By taking advantage of this opportunity, we want to establish Bangladesh as a truly democratic and modern state without discrimination,” he said. Fakhrul recalled the self-sacrifices of the intellectuals in the country’s Liberation War. “Today is Martyred Intellectuals Day. On this day in 1971, we lost the best sons of the nation as the Pakistani occupying forces abducted and killed Bangladesh's prominent journalists, intellectuals, professors, scientists, and prominent figures of civil society just moments before the victory,” he said. The BNP leader said the people of Bangladesh fought in 1971 to build an independent, democratic and prosperous Bangladesh. He urged all to take a vow to build a self-reliant, new democratic Bangladesh to materialise the dream of the martyred intellectuals and those who sacrificed their lives for liberating the country. Fakhrul said they paid homage to the martyred intellectuals on behalf of their party, its chairperson Khaleda Zia, and acting chairman Tarique Rahman. Chief Adviser pays tribute to martyred intellectuals “We pray for the salvation and eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyred intellectuals,” he said. Earlier, Fakhrul along with some party senior leaders, paid tributes to martyred intellectuals by placing a wreath at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Mirpur in the city, marking the Martyred Intellectuals’ Day. BNP kept the national flag at half-mast and hoisted black flags atop all its, including the Nayapaltan central one, to mark the day.

BNP on Saturday paid tributes to martyred intellectuals by placing a wreath at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Mirpur in the city, marking the Martyred Intellectuals’ Day. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir along with some party senior leaders placed the wreath around 9:15am and stood in a solemn silence there for some time as a mark of respect to the great national heroes who lost their lives for the cause of the country. Chief Adviser pays tribute to martyred intellectuals Talking to reporters, Fakhrul recalled the self-sacrifices of the intellectuals in the country’s Liberation War. He urged all to take a vow to build a self-reliant, democratic Bangladesh to materialise the dream of the martyred intellectuals. BNP kept the national flag at half-mast and hoisted black flags atop all its, including the Nayapaltan central one, to mark the day. The party arranged a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh on Friday in observance of the day. 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.  

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Saturday morning paid tribute to the martyred intellectuals on the occasion of the Martyred Intellectuals Day. Yunus placed wreaths at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Mirpur in the morning. He stood there in solemn silence for a while as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the illustrious men and women of the soil. Intellectuals' killings were anti-liberation forces’ most heinous revenge: Dr Yunus On the night of December 14, 1971, over 200 intellectuals including educationists, journalists, litterateurs, writers, physicians, scientists, lawyers, artists, philosophers and political thinkers had been picked up in Dhaka by the Pakistani occupation forces, aided by their local collaborators. The intellectuals were taken blindfold to torture cells in Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Nakhalpara, Rajarbagh and other locations in different parts of the city and later executed en masse at different killing grounds, most notably Rayerbazar and Mirpur. Since then, the day has been observed as the Martyred Intellectuals Day.  

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.

BNP on Thursday announced programmes to observe the Martyred Intellectuals Day and celebrate the Victory Day with due respect. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programmes at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan Central office after a joint meeting of the party and its associate bodies. Martyred Intellectuals Day programmes Rizvi said the leaders and activists of BNP will pay homage to martyred intellectuals at Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in the morning on December 14 (Saturday), marking the day. The party will keep the national flag at half-mast and hoist black flags atop its all the offices, including the Nayapaltan central one, on the occasion. Besides, he said BNP will arrange a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh at 2pm on Friday (Dec 13). Victory Day programmes Rizvi said BNP will hoist national and party flags atop the party offices in the morning on December 16 (Monday), marking the Victory Day. He said party leaders and activists, led by its senior leaders, will place wreaths at the National Mausoleum at Savar on the day. Later, the BNP leader said they will place a wreath at the grave of late BNP founder Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Banglanagar in the capital on the same day. He said an open music concert will be arranged at the capital’s Manik Mia Avenue at 3pm on December 16, marking the Victory Day. ‘Have patience for restoration of democracy’, says Tarique    Rizvi said ‘Sobar Age Bangladesh’ (Bangladesh before all) will organise this concert. The BNP’s Nayapaltan central office and the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office will be illuminated on the occasion.  Besides, he said the BNP will hold a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh at 2pm on Sunday (Dec 15), marking the Victory Day. BNP’s different units and associate bodies will also mark the two days with various programmes across the country. The Martyred Intellectuals Day will be observed across the country on Saturday (December 14), to pay homage to the intellectuals who were brutally killed by the Pakistan occupation forces and their local collaborators at the fag end of the country's Liberation War in 1971. Fakhrul returns from London The nation will also celebrate the 54th Victory Day on Monday amid festivities, paying tribute to the three million martyrs and freedom fighters of the Liberation War. On December 16, 1971, Bangladesh was liberated as an independent country after the Pakistani occupation forces surrendered following a bloody nine-month-long war.

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has unveiled an extensive schedule of programs to observe Martyred Intellectuals Day on December 14 and Victory Day on December 16. At a press conference held on Wednesday, Adviser Farooq-e-Azam detailed the events, emphasizing the significance of the commemorations. On December 14, President Md. Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus will lay wreaths at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Dhaka. The ceremony will be broadcast live on Bangladesh Television and private TV channels. Family members of the martyrs and freedom fighters will also pay tribute, followed by political, social organizations, and the general public. Special prayers will be held in mosques, temples, churches, pagodas, and other places of worship nationwide. District and upazila-level discussions will highlight the sacrifices of martyred intellectuals, with programs aired on Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, and private channels. The ministry has urged the public to preserve the solemnity of the occasion by refraining from using loudspeakers near the memorial. Victory Day on December 16 will begin with a 31-gun salute at dawn in Dhaka. President Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Yunus will lead the wreath-laying at the National Memorial in Savar, followed by tributes from freedom fighters, martyrs' families, diplomats, political leaders, and the general public. The national flag will be hoisted at all government, semi-government, and private buildings, while prominent landmarks will be illuminated. Streets in Dhaka and other cities will be adorned with the national flag. Newspapers will publish special supplements, and electronic media will air programs dedicated to the Liberation War. Cultural institutions like Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, and the Liberation War Museum will host discussions, cultural events, and competitions for children, alongside screenings of Liberation War-themed documentaries. Victory Fairs showcasing local art and crafts will take place at the district and upazila levels, complemented by children's painting contests and cultural events. Bangladeshi embassies worldwide will also host commemorative events. In the evening, the families of the Bir Sreshtha—the nation’s highest gallantry award recipients—will be honored at Bangabhaban. Tributes will also be extended to freedom fighters and martyrs' families at city, district, and upazila levels. The Bangladesh Postal Service will issue commemorative postage stamps to mark the day. Special meals will be served at orphanages, old age homes, hospitals, jails, and government-run children's homes. Public access to children’s parks and museums will be free, and cinemas will screen Liberation War-themed films at no cost.

Awami League paid tribute at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of Martyred Intellectuals Day today. Awami League president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, along with party leaders, paid tribute to the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi 32 by placing wreaths. They stood there in solemn silence for a while as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the illustrious sons and daughters of the soil. Read: Nation recalls illustrious sons and daughters on Martyred Intellectuals Day Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader; presidium members Matia Chowdhury, Dr. Abdur Razzak, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Abdur Rahman, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya Bir Bikram, Shajahan Khan; Joint General Secretaries Mahbubul Alam Hanif, Dr. Hasan Mahmud, AFM Bahauddin Nashim, Organizing Secretary Ahmed Hossain, Advocate Afzal Hossain, Shafiul Alam Chowdhury Nadel, Science and Technology Secretary Engineer Abdus Sabur and others were present. Earlier, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tribute at the Martyr Intellectual Memorial in Mirpur.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday paid rich tributes to the martyred intellectuals on the occasion of the Martyred Intellectuals Day. The President and then the Prime Minister placed wreaths at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Mirpur. They stood there in solemn silence for a while as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the illustrious sons of the soil. A smartly-turned-out contingent of the Bangladesh Armed Forces gave a state salute. Flanked by the party's central leaders, Hasina, also the President of Bangladesh Awami League, laid another wreath at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial as the party chief. Later, the Prime Minister talked to the war-wounded freedom fighters and the family members of the martyred intellectuals. Hasina then went to Dhanmondi in the capital and placed a wreath at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum marking the Martyred Intellectuals Day. After placing the wreath, she stood there for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of independence of Bangladesh. On the night of December 14, 1971, over 200 intellectuals including educationists, journalists, litterateurs, writers, physicians, scientists, lawyers, artists, philosophers and political thinkers had been picked up in Dhaka by the Pakistani occupation forces, aided by their local collaborators. The intellectuals were taken blindfold to torture cells in Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Nakhalpara, Rajarbagh and other locations in different parts of the city and later executed en masse at different killing grounds, most notably Rayerbazar and Mirpur. Since then, the day has been observed as the Martyred Intellectuals Day.

The nation is set to observe the Martyred Intellectuals Day on Wednesday 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. Read more: Bangladesh observing Martyred Intellectuals Day 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. The government has chalked out elaborate programmes to commemorate the December 14 tragedy. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on this occasion. President Hamid in a message said, “I call upon all to play an effective role from their respective position to build ‘Sonar Bangla’ imbued with the sacrifice of the Martyred Intellectuals and spirit of the Liberation War.” Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message urged all irrespective of party affiliation to get united against the killers of 1971, war criminal Jamaat, fundamentalists and  perform their duties from their respective positions to continue the development spree of the country by resisting all conspiracies of anti-democratic forces. Read more: Nation set to observe Martyred Intellectuals Day Tuesday Bangladesh Television and private television channels will broadcast special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.

The University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) held two virtual events, one on December 14 in remembrance of martyred intellectuals of Bangladesh, and on December 16, celebrating 50 years of victory on the Victory Day. Akku Chowdhury, valiant freedom fighter and a founding trustee member of the Liberation War Museum, was the keynote speaker at the Victory Day event. "We fought to ensure the freedom of all citizens, irrespective of their race, religion and gender. It is time for us to reflect whether we have truly been able to establish that freedom today. During the war, our weapon we fought with guns, but today the weapon for moving forward is technology," Akku said.   Also read: UN lauds Bangladesh’s massive successes as it celebrates Victory Day He added, “We have to stand out in the modern world by utilizing the benefits of Digital Bangladesh that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given to you all.” In his introductory speech, ULAB’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Imran Rahman highlighted the country's achievements in the 50th year of the great victory. "We have built a prosperous country in the last fifty years. The task of bringing the country to the peak of prosperity in the next fifty years must be done by the youth of our society," he said. ULAB’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Shamsad Mortuza, said “At the time of independence, about 80 per cent of the people of Bangladesh were below the poverty line. Today that has completely changed. Eighty per cent of the population now live above the poverty line. But we cannot avoid our responsibility to the remaining 20 percent of people who still live below the poverty line.” On December 14, Dr Md Fazle Rabbi and Dr Jahanara Rabbi's daughter, Dr Nusrat Rabbi was the keynote speaker of the program 'Remembering Martyred Intellectuals, The Spirit of 1971: A Discussion'. ULAB Board of Trustees member Ms. Ameena Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Imran Rahman, and Pro-Vice-Chancellor professor Shamsad Mortuza spoke on the occasion. Also read: Bangladesh set to celebrate 51st Victory Day Thursday In their speeches, they all highlighted the irreparable loss the country has had, due to the killings of the intellectuals. They all thanked Dr Nusrat Rabbi for her presenting her father’s story through her book for the entire country to know and appreciate. Dr Nusrat Rabbi reflected on the ultimate "Sacrifices and strides made by the relentless champions of the first few decades of the nation and the martyrs for the cause of Bangladesh" with reference to her book, "The Spirit of 1971: A Memoir." Both the events were attended by ULAB’s Treasurer, the Registrar, Deans, Department Heads, faculty members, officials, and students of ULAB.