Martyr intellectuals’ dreams still unfulfilled: Tarique Rahman

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has said that even after half a century, the dreams of the martyred intellectuals remain unfulfilled, as democracy has repeatedly been pushed into a death trap and the democratic development of the state has been obstructed through one-party authoritarian rule.

He made the remarks in a message posted on his verified Facebook page on Saturday marking Martyred Intellectuals Day.

Tarique Rahman paid deep tribute to the teachers, doctors, writers, journalists and artists killed by the occupying forces and their collaborators on December 14, 1971, and prayed for the salvation of their departed souls. He said December 14 is a day to remember the nation’s finest sons, who stood by the people inspired by patriotism, protested injustice and took up their pens in support of independence.

He said the killing of intellectuals was a deep conspiracy to deprive the nation of talent and obstruct the victory of independence. While their brutal murder on the eve of victory still causes national grief, the ideals they left behind—knowledge, free thought and harmony beyond religion, race and community—continue to inspire the dream of building a progressive country and a modern democratic state.

However, he said, even after half a century those dreams have not been realised. Despite much bloodshed, freedom of expression, writing and speech has yet to escape crisis. He added that following the fall of fascism in the July mass uprising, the ideals of the martyred intellectuals can only be realised by establishing the rule of law, an independent judiciary and a pluralistic political system.

On this day of mourning, he called upon the nation to work together to build the Bangladesh envisioned by the martyred intellectuals and expressed deep sympathy for their families.