The nation pays homage to the intellectuals who were assassinated by Pakistani occupation forces and their local collaborators in the last days of the 1971 Liberation War.
14th December is observed as Intellectual Martyrs Day in Bangladesh in memory those bright souls who fall victim to a brutal military regime. President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia paid their respects at the Mirpur Intellectual Martyrs Mausoleum in the morning.
The Mausoleum is flooded with wreaths of flowers placed there by several political parties, social and cultural organisations and citizens. Hundreds have also gathered at the Memorial to honour the intellectuals who were murdered in the killings fields of Rayerbazaar in the very last days of the War.
The Intellectual Martyrs Day this year is celebrated on a notice of justice delayed but not denied with the hanging of war criminal Abdul Quader Molla just a day ago.
Molla-- popularly known as the ‘Butcher of Mirpur’ for his role during the 1971 Liberation War--was indicted for six war crimes charges including mass murder, rape, conspiracy and instigation in 1971.
On Thursday, the Jamaat-e-Islami leader was hanged until death for the crimes 'committed against humanity' during the Liberation War. Sensing a humiliating defeat, the Pakistani occupation army and their local collaborators--Rajakars, Al-Badr and Al-Shams-- abducted and blindfolded several top-notch Bangalee intellectuals and professionals including academics, doctors, engineers, journalists and teachers from their residences in Dhaka on Dec 14, 1971. They were later murdered brutally to create an intellectual void in the newborn nation. The bodies were left in the 'mass graves' of Mirpur and Rayerbazaar.
Bugles played melancholic tunes when the President and the Prime Minister paid their homage at the mausoleum at 7.05 am on Saturday followed by Speaker of the House Shirin Sharmin Choudhury.
Later Sheikh Hasina placed wreath for the second time on behalf of Awami League. Several AL front group leaders followed to pay their respects. The Mausoleum was then opened for all.
Leader of the Opposition and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia along with leaders of her party paid respects at the Mirpur Mausoleum around 9am.
Different political and socio-cultural organisations and professional bodies are organising events on the day. Special prayers are being organised for those who were murdered.
Nation observing Intellectual Martyrs day -bdnews24.com
![02_Martyred+Intellectuals+Day_141213.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fd30fl32nd2baj9.cloudfront.net%2Fmedia%2F2013%2F12%2F14%2F02_martyred-intellectuals-day_141213.jpg%2FALTERNATES%2Fw620%2F02_Martyred%2BIntellectuals%2BDay_141213.jpg&hash=23fda0b8d14af0b2f58c68671bb02459)
14th December is observed as Intellectual Martyrs Day in Bangladesh in memory those bright souls who fall victim to a brutal military regime. President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia paid their respects at the Mirpur Intellectual Martyrs Mausoleum in the morning.
The Mausoleum is flooded with wreaths of flowers placed there by several political parties, social and cultural organisations and citizens. Hundreds have also gathered at the Memorial to honour the intellectuals who were murdered in the killings fields of Rayerbazaar in the very last days of the War.
The Intellectual Martyrs Day this year is celebrated on a notice of justice delayed but not denied with the hanging of war criminal Abdul Quader Molla just a day ago.
Molla-- popularly known as the ‘Butcher of Mirpur’ for his role during the 1971 Liberation War--was indicted for six war crimes charges including mass murder, rape, conspiracy and instigation in 1971.
On Thursday, the Jamaat-e-Islami leader was hanged until death for the crimes 'committed against humanity' during the Liberation War. Sensing a humiliating defeat, the Pakistani occupation army and their local collaborators--Rajakars, Al-Badr and Al-Shams-- abducted and blindfolded several top-notch Bangalee intellectuals and professionals including academics, doctors, engineers, journalists and teachers from their residences in Dhaka on Dec 14, 1971. They were later murdered brutally to create an intellectual void in the newborn nation. The bodies were left in the 'mass graves' of Mirpur and Rayerbazaar.
Bugles played melancholic tunes when the President and the Prime Minister paid their homage at the mausoleum at 7.05 am on Saturday followed by Speaker of the House Shirin Sharmin Choudhury.
Later Sheikh Hasina placed wreath for the second time on behalf of Awami League. Several AL front group leaders followed to pay their respects. The Mausoleum was then opened for all.
Leader of the Opposition and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia along with leaders of her party paid respects at the Mirpur Mausoleum around 9am.
Different political and socio-cultural organisations and professional bodies are organising events on the day. Special prayers are being organised for those who were murdered.
Nation observing Intellectual Martyrs day -bdnews24.com