Horrific March 25 remembered as National Genocide Day

Today, March 25 (Wednesday), is the National Genocide Day. On the dark night of this day in 1971, one of the most terrible horrors in history befell the Bengali nation.

On the midnight of March 25, 1971, the Pakistani occupation forces launched a planned military operation called 'Operation Searchlight' and began indiscriminate killings on unarmed and sleeping people. Students, teachers, intellectuals, law enforcement officers and countless ordinary people were brutally killed in various places in the country, including the capital's Rajarbagh Police Lines, Dhaka University. The day is observed as the 'National Genocide Day' in Bangladesh to commemorate this terrible night.

President Md. Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman gave separate messages on the occasion.

In his message, the President remembered the martyrs with deep respect and said that March 25 is a cruel and painful chapter in the history of Bangladesh. The entire nation was stunned by the massacre that night. He mentioned that at the same time, the rebellion of the East Bengal Regiment in Chittagong and the declaration of independence from the Kalurghat radio station united the nation. This led to the armed resistance and the subsequent liberation war.

In his message, the Prime Minister said that the March 25 massacre was a well-planned massacre. The role of the then political situation and leadership in preventing this massacre is still a subject of research. He said that the armed liberation war began with the resistance of the 8th East Bengal Regiment in Chittagong.

He also said that it is important to know the history of the March 25 massacre to convey the value and significance of independence to the new generation. He called for preserving the dignity of the martyrs' sacrifice by establishing the spirit of the great liberation war - equality, human dignity and social justice. He also called on everyone to work together to build a just, prosperous and democratic Bangladesh.