Staff Reporter :
The nation will observe Martyred Intellectuals Day on Saturday, paying tribute to the intellectuals systematically killed by Pakistani occupation forces and their local collaborators during the final days of the Liberation War in 1971.
On December 14, 1971, renowned academics, doctors, engineers, journalists, artistes, teachers, and other eminent figures were forcibly taken from their homes, blindfolded, and subjected to brutal torture before being murdered.
Their bodies were later discovered in locations such as Rayerbazar, Mirpur, and other execution sites in Dhaka.
As defeat loomed, Pakistani forces, along with collaborators like Al-Badr, Al-Shams, and Razakar, orchestrated these heinous killings to destroy the nation’s intelligentsia and cripple the intellectual foundation of an independent Bangladesh.
The martyred intellectuals include Prof. Munier Chowdhury, Dr. Alim Chowdhury, Prof. Muniruzzaman, Dr. Fazle Rabbi, Sirajuddin Hossain, Shahidullah Kaiser, Prof. G.C. Dev, J.C. Guha Thakurta, Prof. Santosh Bhattacharya, Mofazzal Haider Chowdhury, and journalists such as Khandaker Abu Taleb, Nizamuddin Ahmed, S.A. Mannan (Ladu Bhai), A.N.M. Golam Mustafa, Syed Nazmul Haq, and Selina Parvin.
To commemorate this somber day, the interim government has organized various programs. Families of the martyred intellectuals and freedom fighters will join in paying homage at memorial sites.
The President and the Chief Adviser have issued messages marking the occasion.
The President urged everyone to work toward building a non-discriminatory, progressive Bangladesh, inspired by the values of the Liberation War.
Meanwhile, Chief Adviser Prof. Yunus emphasized the interim government’s commitment to creating a developed, prosperous, and well-governed nation.
He called for unity to counter any conspiracy by anti-liberation elements and urged citizens to contribute to the country from their respective roles.
Leaders and members of political and social organizations will pay their respects at the Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals’ Graveyard.
Special prayers and religious services will be held in mosques, temples, and churches across the country.
Bangladesh Television and private channels will air special programs highlighting the significance of the day.
