On this day in 1969, students and general people waged a strong movement against the then Pakistani autocratic regime of Ayub Khan. The movement turned into a mass upsurge following the martyrdom of Motiur Rahman, a student of class IX of Nabakumar Institute in the city.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina have given separate messages highlighting the significance of the day.

In her message, Khaleda urged the people to forge a strong national unity to safeguard democracy.

She said January 24 is a memorable day in the national life, as the students and the people of this country forged a strong national unity on this day in 1969 against the Pakistani autocracy, turning the mass movement into a mass upsurge.

That historic mass upsurge led to the fall of the then autocratic government and opened up the path of realising democratic rights of the people of this country, she said, adding that the independent Bangladesh emerged in 1971 as a sequel to that incident.

In another message, Hasina said, "Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led the mass upsurge of January 24, 1969, which culminated in the war of independence in 1971. This is a rare example of national solidarity of the Bangalee nation."

The AL chief said she was shot at on the same day of 1988 in Chittagong, where 18 leaders and workers of Awami League were killed.

She urged all to be imbibed with the spirit of the Mass Upsurge Day and play a positive role in freeing democracy-loving people from torture, repression and oppression.

The Samajtantrik Chhatra Front and the Bangladesh Gorib Mukti Andolon will hold discussions to mark the day.