The Jatiya Nagrik Party (NCP) considers it necessary to take more effective initiatives to achieve international recognition of the 1971 genocide. On the occasion of Genocide Day on March 25, the organization has expressed its commitment to build a humanitarian state and respect the martyrs.
Along with this, NCP member secretary and Rangpur-4 Constituency Member of Parliament Akhtar Hossain will pay tribute at the National Memorial on the occasion of Independence Day. All this information was informed in the press release signed by Sadia Farzana Dina, a member of the party’s media cell, on Wednesday evening.
According to the notification, March 25 is a day of deep sorrow and pain in the history of Bangladesh. On this day in 1971, the Pakistani military launched a massive massacre of unarmed Bengalis by conducting the well-planned Operation Searchlight, which later became an example of a brutal human rights violation recognized worldwide as the ‘Bangladesh Genocide 1971’. This day symbolizes not only the tragedy of a nation but a brutal state violence perpetrated against the entire humanity.
The NCP feels that this brutal chapter of repression could not extinguish the fighting spirit of Bengalis. Rather, it was from this time that the spark of resistance ignited, which gradually turned into an all-out liberation struggle and culminated in the establishment of an independent state.
According to the circular, this sacrifice of the martyrs is the basis of our national existence and the source of inspiration in the struggle for justice and dignity. It is our collective responsibility to properly convey this historical reality to the new generation, preserve the memory of the martyrs and speak out against any kind of distortion of history. At the same time, it is necessary to take more effective initiatives to achieve international recognition of this genocide.
“We call for unity in building a dignified state in the spirit of the great liberation war,” the circular said, promising to build a just, humane and egalitarian Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, NCP convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam said that ‘Operation Searchlight’ by the Pakistani military junta was a planned massacre. The aim of which was to suppress the voice, dignity and self-identity of the people of Bengal. He said this in a post on social media Facebook yesterday afternoon.
Paying tribute to all martyrs of Genocide Day on March 25, Nahid Islam said that this day of 1971 is not only a symbol of a nation, but a terrible state violence against the people and humanity of the region.
The Chief Whip of the opposition party also said that on that night, indiscriminate killings were carried out on unarmed people in various places of the country including Dhaka University residential halls, Rajarbagh Police Lines, EPR headquarters in Pilkhana. Women, children, elderly, minorities are not spared.
The purpose of this genocide was to suppress the people’s desire for freedom; But it failed. Rather, it was from this night that resistance began—which turned into a long struggle and ultimately the achievement of freedom.
Nahid said, our pledge on Genocide Day, we will work unitedly regardless of party affiliation to build a justice-based, humane and egalitarian Bangladesh. We pray for the forgiveness of the souls of the martyrs.
