With fresh vow to build Bangladesh as a happy, prosperous and non-communal country people on Saturday paid rich tributes to the martyred intellectuals.
Imbued with the spirit of the Great War of Liberation and with due respect and heavy heart people from all walks of life across the country observed the Martyred Intellectuals Day on their 48 anniversary of martyrdom.
They recalled the country’s illustrious sons with also a renewed pledge to materialise the dream of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in order to build a “Sonar Bangla” thwarting conspiracies of the anti-liberation and communal forces.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led the nation in paying homage to the martyred intellectuals at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Mirpur in capital Dhaka on the occasion of Martyred Intellectuals Day.
People who gathered at different places at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorials including at Mirpur and Rayer Bazaar in the city expressed utter resentment over ‘Daily Sangram’ activities as it described executed war criminal Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdul Quader Molla as ‘martyr’.
They also said Jamaat-Shibir and their collaborators are still active in the country and hatching conspiracy to destabilise the country in many ways.
They also demanded of the government to shut down the Daily Sangram and ensure exemplary punishment to the Editor of the daily.
Talking to reporters Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said that legal action should be taken against the newspaper as it described executed war criminal Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdul Quader Molla as ‘martyr’.
“We’ll talk to the Home Ministry on this matter,” he said while talking to reporters after paying tribute to the martyred intellectuals at Rayer Bazaar.
Apart from people, members of martyred families and freedom fighters also placed wreaths at Martyred Intellectuals Memorial and Rayerbazar Killing Ground at Mohammadpur in the morning.
Bangladesh Television and private television channels broadcast special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.
Discussions were also held at district and upazila level across the country.
National flags and AL’s party flag have been hoisted half-mast at its central office, Bangabandhu Bhaban and important institutions at dawn marking the day while Black flags were also hoisted at party offices across the country.
Dhaka University authorities observed the day by undertaking different programmes.
Different political, professional, social and cultural organisations, including Jatiya Press Club, Dhaka Reporters Unity, Bangabandhu Gabeshana Parishad, Jatiya Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, National Museum, Bangabandhu Parishad, Sammilito Sangskritik Jote, Sector Commanders’ Forum and Liberation War Museum, also chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day.
