Sagar Biswas :Today is Shaheed Buddhijibi Dibosh [Martyred Intellectuals Day]. Commemorating the martyred intellectuals, the black flag will be hoisting atop of government institutions and the national flag at half-mast position today.The nation is observing the Martyred Intellectuals Day today (Sunday) remembering the sacrifice of the country’s brightest sons who were brutally killed by Razakar, Al-Badr and Al-Shams — the auxiliary forces of Pakistani army — on December 14, at the fag end of ’71 Liberation War. Many intellectuals–including 991 teachers, 13 journalists, 49 physicians, 42 lawyers, and 16 writers, artists and engineers– were picked up between December 12 and 14 in 1971 and most of them did not return. Of them, Prof Muneir Chowdhury, Dr Alim Chowdhury, Prof Muniruzzaman, Dr Fazle Rabbi, Sirajuddin Hossain, Shahidullah Kaiser, Prof G C Dev, JC Guha Thakurta, Prof Santosh Bhattacharya, Mofazzal Haider Chowdhury, journalists Khandaker Abu Taleb, Nizamuddin Ahmed, SA Mannan [Ladu Bhai], ANM Golam Mustafa, Syed Nazmul Haq, Anwar Pasha and Selina Parvin were brutally tortured and killed by the anti-liberation force.The Pakistani occupation forces and their local collaborators dragged out the intellectuals of their houses blindfolded before killing. Some of their bodies were found at Rayerbazar, Mirpur and other killing fields in Dhaka with the marks of horrific torture. And some others are still not traced.Materialising a blue-print of the Pakistan Army, the ‘killing mission’ was conducted by its local collaborators with an intention to cripple the newborn nation intellectually. After achieving the victory, the nation learnt with horrible shock and dismay that the great sons of the soil had sacrificed their lives for the cause of independence.Later, the government headed by the then Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmed declared the day as Martyred Intellectuals Day with a view to remembering their contribution.This year, Bangladesh is going to observe the Martyred Intellectuals Day in a different manner as the International Crimes Tribunal [ICT] on October 30 awarded death penalty to Motiur Rahman Nizami, the Ameer of Jamaat-e Islami, for the crimes committed about 43 years ago.The ICT in its observations said that Nizami, the condemned convict Jamaat Ameer, aided by the Pakistan Army unleashed his force Al-Badr Bahini to wipe out the brightest sons and daughters [intellectuals] of the country to cripple the soon-to-be independent Bangladesh. “No punishment other than death will be equal to the horrendous crimes for which the accused has been found guilty beyond reasonable doubt. It is well-proved that the accused [Nizami] being the chief of Islami Chhatra Sangha and Al-Badr Bahini whole-heartedly resisted the War of Liberation,” Justice M Enayetur Rahim, Chairman of ICT-1, said during delivering judgment.In this backdrop, State Minister for Home Ministry Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Saturday expressed determination to try all war criminals. “The ICT verdicts against the Jamaat leaders will be executed in accordance with the law for their crimes against humanity in ’71,” he said. Meanwhile, people from all walks of life, including members of the martyred intellectuals` families will visit the Martyred Intellectuals’ Mausoleum at Mirpur and Rayerbazar Mausoleum today to place wreaths in honour of the martyrs.President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will pay homage to the martyred intellectuals placing wreaths at Martyred Intellectuals Mausoleum at Mirpur today early morning.Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament and Jatiya Party leader Begum Raushan Ershad in a message paid rich tributes to the martyred intellectuals. In a separate message, BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia also paid homage to the memories of martyred intellectuals. Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury along with Deputy Speaker Md. Fazle Rabbi Mia, Minister of Liberation War Affairs Ministry AKM Mozammel Haque, and war injured freedom fighters also will place wreaths.The ruling party Awami League will observe the day with elaborate programmes, including placing wreaths at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Mirpur and Rayerbazar Mausoleums. Besides, different socio-cultural organisations and political parties including the main opposition Jatiya Party, BNP, Workers Party of Bangladesh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal [JSD], Communist Party of Bangladesh [CPB], Bangladesh Awami Jubo League, Bangladesh Chhatra League, Jatiya Sramik League, Bangladesh Krishak League, Bangladesh Awami Swechchhasebak League, Jubo Mohila League, Ganoforum, Bangabandhu Parishad, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, Bangabandhu Mancha, Jatiya Rickshaw Sramik League, Bangladesh Bastuhara Samity, Bangabandhu and Jatiya Char Neta Parishad, Muktijoddha Sangsad, Muktijoddha Sanghati Parishad, Palestine Pratyagata Muktijoddha Sangsad, Muktijoddha Sangsad Santan Command, Muktijoddha Projanmo League, Jatiya Ganotantrik League and Pachatturer Ghatak Nirmul Committee, have chalked different programmes including seminars, discussion, human chain and silent processions. The newspapers will bring out special supplements highlighting the significance of the day while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private television channels will telecast special programmes marking the event.
