Nation celebrates Independence Day, salutes war heroes

Bangladesh Wednesday celebrated the 55th Independence and National Day with fresh spirits and rich tributes to the Liberation War heroes whose sacrifices helped the Bengalis wrest freedom from Pakistani occupation in 1971.
A common aspiration for rebuilding Bangladesh as a democratic, equitable and prosperous country reverberated in the air as government high-ups, politicians and people as well as diplomats rallied round the national memorial after dawn to salute the independence martyrs.
Every year, March 26th brings the most tragic reminiscence of history's blackest episode that heralded a nine-month ordeal from the night of March 25th, 1971. The freedom fight that ensued was crowned with a long-cherished independence on December 16th the same year.
People from all walks of life paid tributes to the nation's heroic sons by placing floral wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar. Since early morning, leaders of different political parties and socio-cultural organisations as well as people from different classes and professions had streamed onto the memorial premises in groups carrying national flag, flowers, banners and festoons to pay their respects.
As the day progressed, the Shaheed Bedi or altar of the memorial was filled with flowers. Many were seen wearing red-and-green clothes -- the colours emblazoned in the national flag.
On the occasion, President Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser of the interim government Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus paid rich tributes to the Liberation War martyrs by placing wreaths at the National Memorial.
After placing the wreaths, they stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respects to the memories of the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War.
A smartly turned-out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented state salute at the time while the bugles played the last post.
Later, the family members of Bir Shresthas, war-wounded freedom fighters and other valiant freedom fighters paid their respects. Members of the Advisory Council of the post-uprising government and foreign diplomats also paid their respects.
Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed paid his respects by laying a wreath at the National Memorial. At that time, he was accompanied by Appellate Division Judges Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam, Justice SM Emdadul Hoque, Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Farah Mahbub, High Court Division Judges and Registrar-General of the Supreme Court Dr Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan.
After paying tribute to the martyrs, Adviser of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Water Resources Syeda Rizwana Hasan said, "We will build a consensus going beyond personal and party interests for the sake of national interest."
But each person has different outlook and perspectives, she said, adding that it would take some time to reduce the differences caused by those perspectives.
However, a process has already begun to build consensus on different reforms, Rizwana said, and it must go through a process.
"I think it (this process for consensus) is a big issue for us to move forward with everyone together in it. Another issue is to hold a free and fair election and fulfill the expectations of the people," she added.
After paying respect, Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain said that the people of this country will no longer feel subordinate in an independent land.
"The country was born in 1971, we achieved independence. It was a bloody independence. But in the past 16 years, the concept of independence has been destroyed. The independence will not carry any meaning until every citizen of the country feels that he is independent, he has freedom of speech and freedom of expression," he said.
Noting that 2024 uprising has protected the independence, he said this independence will prevail in the days to come.
BNP leaders paid tribute to the martyrs at the National Memorial around 8 am. BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas, Chairperson's Advisor Aman Ullah Aman, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed, Dhaka District BNP President Khandaker Abu Ashfaq, General Secretary Nipun Roy Chowdhury and Organizing Secretary Irfan Ibne Aman, Dhaka District Jubo Dal President Yasin Ferdous Murad were present on the occasion, among others.
After paying homage, Mirza Abbas said, "There is no such thing as second independence in Bangladesh".
He said those, who want to undermine the Independence Day, had no role in the independence of 1971. Therefore, they want to undermine this day, he added.
"I would ask them to stop here. They should respect and honor this Independence Day. In July-August, through the student-people movement, we got a new taste of independence by ousting the autocracy," the BNP standing committee member said.
Many people term it as the second independence, Abbas said, adding, "But today's Independence Day proves that there is no such thing as second independence in Bangladesh".
Remember Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman with due respect, he said, adding that Ziaur Rahman had proclaimed the independence and fought for the country.
"In the 54 years of independence, we had lost the taste of true independence. After August 5, we got it again. I remember the brave martyrs of 1971 who achieved our independence at the cost of their lives," the BNP leader also said.
Abbas extended his greetings to the countrymen on behalf of Desh Nentri Begum Khaleda Zia and BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.
Speaking about the national elections, Abbas said, the chief adviser said that the elections would be held in December. "We want to keep our faith on that," he added.
Around 8.30 am, leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) led by its convener Nahid Islam paid tribute to the 1971 Liberation War martyrs by placing floral wreaths at the National Memorial.
NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, Senior Joint Convener Ariful Islam Adib and Chief Coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwary were present on the occasion, among others.
After paying the tribute, Nahid said elections will not be accepted without reforms and trials of the perpetrators of the mass killings during the 2024 uprising.
"NCP's demand is for carrying out trials and reforms first and election of the Constituent Assembly next. We believe that if we follow this path, the nation will progress towards democracy," he said.
People of this country have shed their blood and sacrificed their lives for freedom, democracy and justice, Nahid said, adding that the 2024 mass uprising is the continuation of that.
He said the nation achieved the freedom and lost it time and again. "We have fought for democracy, human dignity and justice for years. In 2024, we carried out an anti-fascist movement too. Now people expect such a situation where they would not have to shed their blood again," Nahid added.
The NCP leader said he thought that 1971 and 2024 are not different; rather the spirit of 1971 has been revived through the mass uprising of 2024.
(Inputs taken from agencies, live broadcasts)