Today, March 26, marks our 56th Independence and National Day. This year, the nation observes the Day in a new political landscape that has brought a new government to power under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, whose father, the then Major Ziaur Rahman, declared Bangladesh's independence on March 27, 1971, from the Kalurghat radio station in Chittagong in the name of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The armed struggle for our independence formally began in the early hours of March 26, 1971, following the brutal crackdown by Pakistani occupied army on unarmed civilians on the 'Black Night' of March 25. Thus, March 26 is observed as Independence and National Day. After a nine-month War of Liberation, marked by the supreme sacrifices of several million people, Bangladesh achieved its cherished independence on December 16, 1971, following the surrender of the Pakistani forces at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan.
The crackdown in the wee hours of March 25, carried out under the name 'Operation Searchlight,' was one of the most barbaric attacks on unarmed civilians in the 20th century after the Second World War. However, it was the resilience and courage of the Bengali people that led to the emergence of a sovereign Bangladesh after nine months of bloody war.
But the genocide and atrocities committed by the Pakistani army during the War of Liberation led to three million martyrs and more than two lakh victims of rape.
It is regarded as one of the darkest days in our history, yet it ultimately heralded the dawn of our victory. As the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining; in our case, it was the hard-earned liberation of our motherland. We achieved it, but at a heavy cost.
This is why it is often described as a Pyrrhic victory.
In observance of the Day today, the President and the Prime Minister are set to pay tribute to the martyrs of our independence struggle by placing wreaths at the National Martyrs' Memorial. As wreaths are placed at the memorial in Savar, let this symbolic act resonate deeply within us and inspire us to put aside our differences in pursuit of the ideals for which our martyrs laid down their lives.
The spirit of independence lies in upholding democracy, secularism, social justice, non-discrimination, inclusiveness and economic emancipation. Although these are the true principles of our Independence Day, over the decades they have often been undermined by ruling political parties and other evil forces seeking to gain their vested interests.
The people of Bangladesh have proven time and again that they will not step back, even at the risk of their lives, to restore the country's democratic system. This steadfast resolve is the true strength of our nation.
In the end, we remember the sacrifices of the martyrs who gave their lives for our independence.
