The ruling Awami League along with the like-minded political and socio-cultural organisations would celebrate today the 47th anniversary of the epoch making speech Bangladesh’s founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered at Suhrawardy Udyan on March 7, 1971.
In the historic address, Sheikh Mujib declared, ‘Ebarer Sangram Amader Muktir Sangram; Ebarer Sangram Swadhinatar Sangram’ (The struggle this time is for our emancipation, the struggle this time is for independence.)
He made the clarion call to turn every home into fortress of resistance against the Pakistani army.
Bengalis reacted with unprecedented rage as soon as then Pakistani military ruler Yahya Khan postponed the National Assembly session scheduled for March 1, 1971.
Stunned by the treachery, Sheikh Mujib immediately launched an unprecedented noncooperation movement dealing a crippling blow to the military rulers.
On March 7, 1971, he gave the historic address at Suhrawardy Udyan, then called Race Course, which inspired the nation to fight for independence.
This year celebration of the day got special momentum as UNESCO included Sheikh Mujib’s March 7 speech in the Memory of the World International Register, a list of world’s important documentary heritage maintained by the UN body.
Awami League presidium member Mohammad Nasim on Tuesday called on the party leaders and activists to join today’s rally at Suhrawardy Udyan arranged to mark the day.
He made the call at a preparatory meeting of the rally at Bangabandu Avenue presided over by Dhaka City South unit AL president Abul Hasnat.
AL general secretary Obaidul Quader said on Monday that not only the leaders and activists of the party but people from all walks of live would join the rally.
AL and the like-minded political and socio-cultural organisations have taken elaborate programmes to celebrate the day.
Celebrations by AL would begin with hoisting of national flag and party flag at Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi 32 and party offices across the country at 6:30am today.
Wreaths would be laid at Sheikh Mujib’s portrait at Dhanmondi 32 at 7:00am.
AL offices across the country would celebrate the day from 8:00am onwards.
Party president Sheikh Hasina, also the prime minister, would chair the rally at Suhrawardy Udyan scheduled for 2:00pm, a party release said.
AL general secretary Obaidul Quader, in a statement, urged people as well as leaders and activists of the party and its front organisations to celebrate the day with befitting commitment.
