The historic Mass Upsurge Day was observed Friday across the country paying homage to the martyrs, including Matiur Rahman, who were killed on this day, when the people waged a countrywide movement against the autocratic regime of Ayub Khan in 1969, reports BSS.
Different political parties, student organisations and socio- cultural bodies held seminars and discussions to observe the day upholding its spirit, which infused more momentum in the ongoing movement up to the War of Liberation in 1971.
On this day 45 years ago, Matiur Rahman, a student of Class nine of the Nabakumar Institution, was killed in Dhaka city as police opened fire on agitating demonstrators.
As Matiur's martyrdom heightened agitation against the Ayub regime, the then government was compelled to release Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other political leaders from jail and withdraw the controversial Agartala conspiracy case.
President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages on the eve of the day.
In her message, the PM termed the 1969 Mass Upsurge a significant milestone in the history of Bangladesh's struggle for independence.
She said the country achieved its long cherished independence by going through with the language movement of 1952, six-point and 11-point movements in 1966, the 1969 Mass Upsurge and the War of Liberation in 1971.
Contribution of martyrs recalled
FE Team | Published: January 25, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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