A crowd of people has gathered to pay tribute to the martyred intellectuals killed by the Al Badr forces on December 14, 1971.
Such a scene of paying tribute was seen at the Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals' Memorial in the capital in the early hours of Saturday (December 14).
On this day, in the early hours of the sunrise, President Md. Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus were the first to pay tribute to the intellectuals.
At this time, a mournful tune was played on the bugle. A smart team from the three services paid tribute to the martyrs and provided a guard of honor.
Later, after President Md. Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus paid tribute, the crowd started pouring in. People from all walks of life came in groups under the banners of various parties and organizations to pay tribute.
At this time, leaders and activists of various BNP organizations were also seen chanting various party slogans.
Incidentally, on this day in 1971, knowing that the defeat in the great Liberation War was certain, the occupying Pakistani forces hatched a heinous plot to demoralize the Bengali nation. They killed many people including teachers, scientists, thinkers, writers, journalists, artists, doctors, engineers, lawyers, athletes, and government officials, along with their domestic allies, the Razakars, Al-Badr, and Al-Shams.
Since then, the day has been celebrated as Martyred Intellectuals Day.
Earlier, in a message given on the occasion of 'Martyred Intellectuals Day', President Md. Shahabuddin said that their sacrifice will be worthwhile only if we can build a non-communal, happy, prosperous, and non-discriminatory new Bangladesh based on the spirit of the Liberation War by following the ideals and path of the martyred intellectuals.
Led by the Adviser on Liberation War Affairs, members of the families of martyred intellectuals and the war-wounded and present freedom fighters will pay tribute to the nation's best sons by placing wreaths at the Mirpur Intellectuals Memorial at 7:22 am and at the Rayer Bazar Massacre Memorial at 8:30 am on Saturday (December 14). In addition, people from all walks of life will place wreaths at the Intellectuals Memorial from 8:30 am. Special prayers and offerings will be offered at all mosques, temples, churches, pagodas and other places of worship on the occasion of the day.