Four detained on way to Dhanmondi 32 with flowers

Police on Saturday detained four people who were heading toward the residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi 32 in the capital carrying flowers to mark the historic 7 March Speech.

According to police, the four were detained around 6:30am from a road opposite Square Hospital while marching toward the site in a small procession.

Bangladesh Police later filed a case against them under the Anti-Terrorism Act and sent them to court.
Kalabagan Police Station officer-in-charge Md Fazle Ashiq told Prothom Alo that the group was moving toward Dhanmondi 32 carrying flower garlands when officers intervened.

“Four people were detained from the road opposite Square Hospital while they were heading there in a procession. They have been sent to court after a case was filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act,” he said.

Police station sources said around 10 to 15 people had gathered in the procession. When they sensed the presence of police, the group dispersed. Officers detained four individuals—three women and one man—during the operation.

The Awami League, whose activities are currently banned, had announced programmes to mark the day. However, it could not immediately be confirmed whether those detained were affiliated with the party or any of its banned associate organisations.

On March 7, 1971, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered his historic speech at Suhrawardy Udyan, declaring: “The struggle this time is our struggle for liberation; the struggle this time is our struggle for independence.”

Although Bangladesh formally declared independence two weeks later on March 26, the speech is widely regarded as a defining moment that set the course for the country’s liberation struggle.

When the Awami League was in power, the day used to be marked with large gatherings and tributes. After the party was removed from power in the student-people’s mass uprising of 2024, its political activities were banned.
Seven months after the uprising, in February 2025, Bangabandhu’s residence at Dhanmondi 32 was demolished.

Since the uprising, several people attempting to pay tribute at the site on different occasions have reportedly faced attacks or harassment, while some have also been detained by police.