Historic March 7, a Red- letter day in the history of Bangladesh, is being observed Saturday.
On this day in 1971, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered his epoch- making speech at the Race Course Maidan, now Suhrawardy Udyan, in Dhaka.
In his 19-minute extempore speech to the people of East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, Bangabandhu in unequivocal term said, “We had spilled bloods…we are ready to shed more bloods, the people of the country shall be freed, Inshallah!“The struggle this time is for our emancipation, the struggle this time is for our independence,” Bangabandhu said.
He also made a fervent appeal to the roaring people from all walks of life to take preparations for armed struggle against the tyranny, exploitation, subjugation and deprivation by the military junta with whatever they possessed and transforming every house into a fortress.
The speech followed the postponing of the then National Assembly meeting on March 7 revealing a conspiracy to undo the people’s mandate expressed through the November 1970 election.
The day is being observed through different programmes.
The ruling Awami League-led government has taken extensive preparations to observe the historic March 7 in a befitting manner.
On the eve of the day, President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in separate messages, recalled with gratitude the bold, courageous and farsighted leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in successful implementation of the nation’s journey to freedom through his speech of March 7.
Different political parties, social, cultural and professional bodies have taken up elaborate programmes to mark the day.
The programmes of the ruling Awami League on the day includes hoisting of the national and party flags at 6-30 am and placing of wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi at 7 am.
The ruling party will also organise a public rally at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan, where Bangabandhu delivered his epoch-making independence speech on the day in 1971 at 3 pm.
The national hook-ups- Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television-as well as private television channels and radio stations will air special programmes while national dailies will bring out special supplements marking the day. – BSS
