The nation is solemnly recalling the Black Night of March 25 today in commemoration of the cowardly attack and unleashing genocide on the unarmed Bangalees by the barbarous Pakistani occupation forces in 1971.
On this fateful night in 1971, the Pakistani military junta launched the “Operation Searchlight” and killed students at dormitories of Dhaka University, Pilkhana, Rajarbagh Police Lines, and Hindu-dominated areas of Old Dhaka.
On the Dhaka University campus, the occupation forces on that night carried out a planned massacre of 200 students, 10 teachers and 12 employees.
Armed with heavy weapons including tanks, automatic rifles, rocket launchers, heavy mortar, light machine guns, soldiers encircled Dhaka University and started the Operation Searchlight from Zahrul Hoque Hall as the then Non-cooperation Movement was organised from that dormitory.
Archer Blood, the then consul general of US embassy in Dhaka, wrote in his book “The Cruel Birth of Bangladesh” that fire broke out at Rokeya Hall, girls’ dormitory of DU and, when the students tried to escape, the military started firing.
American journalist Robert Payne said at least 7,000 people were killed and 3,000 others arrested on the night.
The Operation Searchlight was one of the very few military operations after World War-II that ultimately had been planned against civilians, just to kill a handsome amount of people to scare the survivors.
In the wake of the Pak army action, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared independence of Bangladesh through EPR wireless at 00-30 hours on March 26 (the night following March 25) in 1971 from his Road-32 residence at Dhanmondi in Dhaka.
He also called upon the people to build a united resistance against the Pakistani occupation forces.
Later, the military junta, in a bid to stop the legitimate movement of the Bangalees, arrested him on that night following his declaration of the country’s independence.
Later, Bangabandhu was taken to the then West Pakistan where he was kept as prisoner during the Liberation War.
Following the declaration, the whole nation, except a few pro-Pakistani elements, joined the War of Liberation and ultimately Bangladesh was freed from the Pakistani occupation forces with their surrender at the Race Course Maidan, later renamed as Suhrawardy Udyan, on December 16 in 1971.
Different political parties and socio-cultural organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes in observance of the Black Night to pay homage to the March 25 martyrs.
Besides, a one-minute symbolic blackout will be observed today throughout Bangladesh, marking the Genocide Day.
The blackout program will be observed for one minute from 11pm to 11:01pm on the night of March 25 across Bangladesh.
On Genocide Day, the president and prime minister will issue special messages.
A discussion meeting will be held on March 25 at 10:30am at the Liberation War Museum.
Genocide and Liberation War-related ballads and cultural programs will be organized nationwide. Rare photographs and documentaries on the genocide will be exhibited in all city corporations, including Dhaka.
Special prayers for the forgiveness of the souls of those killed on the night of March 25, 1971, will be held in all mosques and other places of worship on this day after Zohr prayers or at convenient times.
BDST: 1218 HRS, MAR 25, 2024
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