Today is March 19. The First Armed Resistance Day of the Great Liberation War. On this day in 1971, on the eve of the Great War of Independence, students from all walks of life of Jaydevpur started armed resistance against the Pak-invading forces. Every year on this day the day is observed through various programs. This year also various programs have been taken to celebrate the day.
A press release of the Nineteenth March Celebration Parishad said that a sculpture was constructed at the intersection of Gazipur in 1972-1973 to immortalize the heroism of March 19. This sculpture named 'Jagrata Chowrangi' is the first sculpture of the Liberation War.
Various organizations and institutions have taken various programs on this occasion. In this, pilgrimages to martyrs' graves, discussion meetings and prayers have been organized.
Armed with the mantra of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's historic speech on March 7, ``You have to fight the enemy with everything you have,'' before the start of the Great War of Liberation on March 19, 1971, the fearless freedom-loving Bengalis stood for the first time in front of the Pak army in Joydevpur near Dhaka. Thousands of people descended on that front.
On 19 March 1971, a Pakistani regiment led by Brigadier Jahan Jeb from the Dhaka Brigade Headquarters suddenly arrived at Jaidebpur (Gazipur) to disarm the 2nd East Bengal Regiment. As soon as this news came to be known, the angry crowd created a resistance in Joydevpur. When the armed Pakistani army opened fire on the crowd, many were martyred on the spot. This was the first armed resistance in the liberation war.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave a handwritten message on the occasion of the First Armed Resistance Day of Joydevpur on March 19, 1972. On the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the Great Independence, this speech carries special significance. Bangabandhu said in his speech at that time, 'March 19, 1971 is another memorable day in the history of Bangladesh. On that day, when the Pakistan military forces tried to disarm the soldiers of the 2nd Bengal Regiment stationed in the cantonment in Joydevpur, farmers, students and people all created a great resistance under the joint leadership of Awami League, Chhatra League and Sramik League. As a result, three precious lives were lost and many people were injured in the firing by the military.”
In the message, he said, "I had given a call on March 7, just a few days before that, to resist with whatever you have." The people of Joydevpur followed it to the letter. I congratulate them.
He said, 'No great work is done without sacrifice. The self-sacrifice of Hurmat at Niamat, Manu, Khalifa and Chandana intersections in Jaidepur was not in vain. The blood of martyrs is never wasted, so today independent sovereign Bangladesh has been established as a result of the sacrifice of lakhs of martyrs.
Bangabandhu said, "The struggle to liberate the country is over." Today, let us all join shoulder to shoulder in the struggle to build the country.' He ended the speech by saying Joy Bangla.