Historic March 7 today

Today is the historic 7th of March, a significant chapter in the history of Bangladesh’s liberation movement. On this day in 1971, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman made a strong warning against the Pakistani rulers. Standing in front of millions of people at the Racecourse Ground in Dhaka (now Suhrawardy Udyan), he declared, “Ebarer sangram amader muktir sangram, ebarer sangram swadhinatar sangram [The struggle this time is a struggle for emancipation, the struggle this time is a struggle for independence]”.

After this call, the movement for self-determination gained momentum and preparations for the war of independence began.

In the national elections held on December 7, 1970, the Awami League won an overwhelming majority in Pakistan's National Assembly, but the Pakistani rulers hesitated to transfer power. When the National Assembly session was suspended, Bangabandhu called for a strike in Dhaka on March 2 and nationwide on March 3. In a massive gathering at Paltan Maidan on March 3, he announced a full-scale non-cooperation movement in East Pakistan and informed that he would deliver a speech at the Race Course Ground on March 7.

At 3:20pm on March 7, 1971, Bangabandhu took the stage. He waved his hand and began his speech in a strong voice, “My brothers, I have come before you today with a heavy heart...” He then said, “This struggle is our struggle for freedom; this struggle is the struggle for independence.” In his speech, which lasted about 18 minutes, he demanded the withdrawal of martial law, the transfer of power to elected representatives, the cessation of killings and shootings of innocent people, the return of the army to their barracks, and the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the mass killings.

Bangabandhu said, “My brothers, I do not want the position of Prime Minister. We want the rights of the people of this country. They could not lure me with the temptation of the post of Prime Minister. They could not hang me on the gallows. You freed me from conspiracy and lawsuits with your blood. That day at this Race Course, I said that I would repay the debt of blood with blood. Today, I am still ready to repay the debt of blood with my own blood.” He further said, “Let me make it clear – from today, all courts, the High Court, the Supreme Court, offices, and educational institutions will remain closed indefinitely. No employee should go to office. This is my order.”

Though Bangabandhu did not directly declare independence that day, his speech was a clear directive for the war of independence. Inspired by his words, students and the public took oath for independence. In the following nine months of bloody war, this speech served as guidance for the freedom fighters and boosted the morale of the nation.