‘Build a society free from exploitation’
FEBRUARY 21, 1972
BANGABANDHU'S MESSAGE ON NATIONAL MARTYRS DAY 1972
My dear countrymen—brothers and sisters,
We are going to observe Shaheed Day for the first time on the soil of a free country. This struggle of ours had started from as far back as March 11, 1948. That day, we were arrested in the language movement. It was not merely a language movement. In truth, this was a movement for establishing the rights of the people of Bangladesh, nay it was an independence movement.
This struggle started gradually from 1948 and reached its zenith in 1952. That day our boys gave blood, became Shaheed to establish the Bengali language. But was that merely a language movement?
That was never just a language movement. Our children shed their blood not just for language. They struggled for establishing their cultural identity, they struggled to live as human beings. Many a person did not want to realise that the people of Bangladesh had risen to a man, that it was a futile attempt to suppress the people of Bengal. And it was from that very day that the preparation for a real struggle had started.
Our brothers and sisters of the country have observed this day every year as Shaheed Day. But even if they observed Shaheed Day, repeated blows were dealt on the observance of the day. In the real sense of the term we could never observe this day. Because the ruling clique used to snipe at the observance of this day and so went all the way out to crush this sentiment. Even the conspirators and the ruling junta had attacked the Shaheed Minar on several occasions.
After that many a year rolled on and innumerable brothers and sisters of Bangladesh laid down their lives. They gave their lives for establishing the rights of the people, for the liberation struggle of Bangladesh. They wanted to lead a life as human beings. They wanted their rights, they wanted to lead a life as the citizens of an independent country. But the brutal forces did not accept those facts. So, they killed my brothers and sisters. They had struck at our very culture, at our very economic backbone.
They oppressed our mothers and sisters. They turned the people of Bangladesh into mere paupers. But the Bengalees are such a nation that knows how to shed blood. There is no power on earth to suppress those people which have learnt how to die. The ruling junta could not appreciate this reality. So, they jumped on us with all their might.
It is true that today we have achieved freedom. But if we fail to establish a society free from exploitation, we will not be able to enjoy the fruits of our freedom.
We have become independent. But it was achieved at the cost of much blood. No country, no nation gave so much blood for independence. But this shedding of blood will be futile if we fail to make the people happy, if we fail to free the people of the country from exploitation, if we fail to establish a society free from exploitation and if that has to be done, the people would then have to build Bangladesh on the foundations of nationalism, democracy, socialism and secularism. I hope the seven and a half crores of people of Bangladesh will take a vow in this regard.
So, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, party and opinion, the students, youth, farmer and workers -- all have to advance -- this is what we hope. The vow which we have to take today is we have earned freedom, and if necessary, we shall give more blood to preserve our independence. We shall, if necessary, give more blood to build up our country. Today we have to take a resolution keeping in mind the blood of the martyrs, keeping in memory the dedication of those who died, laid their lives as Shaheeds, of those mothers who lost their children, of those sisters who became widows, and of those innumerable others who became destitute.
This determination will be to establish on the soil of Bengal a society free from exploitation and to introduce a socialistic pattern of economy. We have to proceed to work to ensure that the people suffer no longer, they are not oppressed and tyrannised anymore. So, I appeal to you especially to the youth, students, farmers and labourers to come forward unitedly.
We are in great danger. We have practically nothing. So, we have to build up everything anew. Let us come forward unitedly to build up the nation, establish a society free from exploitation. Long live Shaheed Smriti, Joy Bangla.
SOURCES: February 22, 1972 issue of Morning News.
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