Dream of a militancy-free Bangladesh on Independence Day

‘Militancy’ seems to be the number one concern in people’s mind as they observe 46th Independence Day of Bangladesh as they aspire for a militancy-free prosperous Bangladesh.

People from all walks of life, who gathered to pay tribute to the Liberation War martyrs at the National Memorial on Sunday, spoke of their hopes and aspiration about the country they want to see.

On Sunday, all roads led to the National Memorial at Savar where people pay their respects to those who sacrificed their lives to free the Bengalis from subjugation and gave them a piece of land what they proudly call independent Bangladesh.

At 6am, President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, leading the people of Bangladesh, paid their respects to the martyrs, laying wreaths at the memorial.

The memorial premises were then opened to the public, various political, social, cultural and economic institutions that came forward to pay tribute.

Even as thousands crowded the memorial to commemorate the Liberation War, security forces were laying siege to a militant den in Sylhet.

The counter-terrorism operation began early on Friday and on Saturday evening yielded casualties. Six, including two police personnel, were killed in two separate explosions. The RAB intelligence chief was also critically injured.

Since the last Independence Day, the country has witnessed the Gulshan Holey Artisan Bakery hostage massacre and numerous counter-terror operations nationwide.

It is not surprising that calls for standing united against militancy can be heard from various leaders, and from the ordinary people.

“This year Parliament recognised Genocide Day, which was held (on Saturday),” said JaSoD General Secretary Shirin Akter. “This recognition is an achievement.”

“But those in BNP and Jamaat who helped the very Pakistanis we defeated are still here. It is important for us to stand united against them and militancy.”

Antara De, a student of the Women and Gender Studies Department at Dhaka University, has come with the other residents of the Faizunessa Chowdurani Women’s Hostel to pay tribute at the National Memorial.

“It is impossible to accept that militants are conducting such attacks so many years after our independence. We must vow to suppress them with a firm hand from now on.”

She also expressed her optimism concerning the national recognition of Genocide Day and called for its recognition on the international stage.

Among those who placed the wreath at the memorial include BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who laid floral wreaths at the memorial alter around 9:30am.

Also among the morning visitors were the activists of the 1971 Sector Commanders’ Forum, led by their vice chairman, Abu Osman Chowdhury.

The former sector commander recounted stories of the many ways in which the people of his sector leapt bravely into the fight for their independence.

That militants and terrorists had begun their activities in the nation forged by their blood, he said, hurt him.

“We won our independence by fighting a war, and these villains try to take that right from us, using religion to convert people to their cause. It is unacceptable.”

The stream of visitors to the memorial through continued into the afternoon. Students from various schools and colleges came, presenting flowers and paying tribute in their school uniforms.

Representatives from the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed, with many riding on wheelchairs or being helped along to the memorial by others.

Dhaka University Vice Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique also came to pay tribute. He too urged people to unite under the ideals of the Liberation War and tackle the threat of terror.

“Only by uniting behind the ideals of the Liberation War can we fulfil the dreams of all,” he said. “The martyrs gave their lives so we would have a free country. We must apply the non-sectarian spirit of the fight for our independence to tackling terrorism and militancy.”

Savar’s Akmal Hossain has brought his five-year-old daughter Afifa, dressed in a red and green costume and with a Bangladesh flag painted on her face, to pay their tribute.

The businessman said he hoped to ‘imprint the spirit of the Liberation War’ on his young child.

“We do not tell our children about our history. This is the reason militants have found inroads. They need to know the sacrifices of the martyrs.”

Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon has called for people to resist militancy and the ‘military and BNP-Jamaat rule’ had let it rise.

“The rise of militancy is due to the country’s history of poor governance,” said Menon, who is also the civil aviation minister. “It has now taken a horrifying form. We must keep pro-Liberation parties in power to defeat militancy and ensure the continued progress of the country.”

But Nagorik Oikyo Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna says, amid the fears and worries of militancy, it gives him hope to see so many at the National Memorial.

“Despite the Sylhet counter-terrorism operation and the blasts near the airport police box, the people have shown their resilience. The people who stand here are the proof that they are not scared of militancy. Even amid this worry, they wish to remain united. If we can retain that strength of the people, we can overcome every obstacle.”