Mass Upsurge Day today

The historic Mass Upsurge Day will be observed today to commemorate the 1969 movement for autonomy of the then East Pakistan -- a movement that eventually led to the 1971 Liberation War and emergence of Bangladesh.

On this day in 1969, Matiur Rahman Mallik, a grade-IX student of Nabakumar Institution, and Rustam Ali, a rickshaw-puller, were killed in police firing on demonstrators in Dhaka as the Pakistani rulers tried to suppress the uprising.

The killings sparked protests across the country that eventually saw the fall of the regime of General Ayub Khan.

To mark the day, different political, social and cultural organisations have chalked out programmes including paying tributes to martyr Matiur Rahman by placing wreaths at his monument at Nabakumar Institution in the capital's Bakshibazar.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday issued separate messages expressing profound respect for those who had embraced martyrdom in the historic movement.

The president said the day is a historic one for the country. Following the path of this mass upsurge, the independence and democratic rights of the people were achieved. He called upon all to work together to uphold independence and democracy.

The prime minister, in her message, said the 1969 Mass Upsurge is a significant chapter in the history of Bangladesh.

“We achieved our great independence through the Liberation War following the 1952 Language Movement, charter of emancipation of Bangalees six-point demand, later 11-point and 1969 mass upsurge,” she said.

The 1969 mass upsurge still inspires all to fight against misrule and exploitation, said the premier.

She urged all to work together for building a hunger and poverty free, non-communal, prosperous and peaceful Bangladesh imbued with the spirit of Liberation War.