Staff Reporter :
The nation observed Martyred Intellectuals’ Day on Saturday, paying glowing tributes to the intellectuals brutally killed by Pakistan occupation forces and their local collaborators at the closing stage of the Liberation War in 1971.
This annual observance commemorates the systematic killing of the country’s brightest minds, a crime committed just two days before the birth of an independent Bangladesh.
The occupation forces, aided by their local collaborators, carried out targeted assassinations throughout the nine months of the Liberation War.
However, December 14 marked a calculated effort to cripple the newborn nation by eliminating its intellectual leadership.
National Observance
National programmes were organized to honor the martyred intellectuals with due respect. President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus led the state tribute by placing wreaths at the Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals Memorial.
Standing in solemn silence, they paid homage as a contingent of the Army, Navy, and Air Force offered a state salute, accompanied by the melancholic notes of the last post on the bugle.
Liberation War Affairs Adviser, members of the martyred families, and valiant freedom fighters, including the wounded, also laid wreaths at both the Mirpur Memorial and the Rayer Bazar killing ground.
People from all walks of life began paying their respects from early morning.
Television and radio channels, including Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar, aired special programmes, while national dailies published supplements to highlight the significance of the day.
Discussions were held at district and upazila levels, and special prayers were offered at mosques, temples, churches, pagodas, and other places of worship nationwide.
Political Tributes
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) observed the day with elaborate programmes. The party’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman issued a message of respect, while the national flag was hoisted at half-mast and black flags flown at all BNP offices, including its central office in Nayapaltan.
Party leaders and activists led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, paid floral tributes at the Mirpur Memorial. Among the prominent attendees were BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed and Standing Committee members Nazrul Islam Khan and Dr. Abdul Mayeen Khan.
Following the BNP’s tribute, associated organizations, including Jatiyatabadi Juba Dal, Chhatra Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, and Krishak Dal, also paid their respects.
A Day of Reflection
Martyred Intellectuals’ Day is a poignant reminder of the darkest chapter in the country’s history.
As the Liberation War reached its climax, collaborators such as the Razakars, Al-Badr, Al-Shams, and the Peace Committee perpetrated the massacre to deprive the emerging nation of its intellectual class.
On the night of December 14, 1971, assassins abducted around 150 intellectuals from their homes in Dhaka. Blindfolded and restrained, these individuals-teachers, journalists, doctors, engineers, artists, cultural figures, and government officials-were taken to killing fields such as Mirpur and Rayer Bazar.
Their bodies, often bearing signs of torture, were later discovered in ditches and brickyards.
Historical Context and Impact
Reports from 1972 and international publications like “Newsweek” estimated that over 1,070 intellectuals were killed during the war.
These figures underscore the devastating impact of the intellectual purge, as these individuals had inspired and guided the nation’s struggle for independence.
Although December 14 marks the peak of these atrocities, the killings began earlier in the month.
From December 10 onward, intellectuals were systematically abducted and executed. This week-long massacre aimed to leave the nation devoid of its intellectual and cultural leadership.
Memorials and Legacy
The first Martyred Intellectuals Memorial was established in Mirpur, Dhaka, while a second memorial in Rayer Bazar was inaugurated in 1999.
These sites stand as solemn reminders of the sacrifices made for the country’s freedom and the enduring importance of safeguarding its sovereignty.
Martyred Intellectuals’ Day continues to inspire the nation to honor the legacy of those who laid down their lives for an independent Bangladesh. As President Mohammed Shahabuddin aptly noted, the memory of these illustrious sons of the soil should serve as a guiding light for building a prosperous and just society.
