Today is Shaheed Nur Hossain Day, a red-letter day in restoration of democracy in the history of Bangladesh.On this day in 1987, Awami Juba League (AJL) leader Nur Hossain, who imprinted his bare chest and back with slogans “Free democracy” and “Down with autocracy”, embraced martyrdom in police firing during an anti-autocracy demonstration at the city’s Zero Point, now known as Shaheed Nur Hossain Square.AJL leader Nurul Huda Babul and farmers’ leader Aminul Huda Tito of Bajitpur in Kishoreganj district were also killed in police firing during the mass movement for restoration of democracy against autocratic rule. The martyrdom of Nur Hossain and others during the mass upsurge of late 90s expedited the anti-autocracy movement. In the face of the movement, autocratic ruler HM Ershad had to step down on December 6 in 1990. Since then, the day is being observed every year as the Shaheed Nur Hossain Day.Different socio-cultural and professional organisations as well as ruling Awami League have chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day in a befitting manner.The programmes of the day include placing of wreaths at the graves of the martyrs and at Shaheed Nur Hossain Square, offering of special prayers and holding of discussions and seminars. The Awami League’s programmes to mark the day include placing of wreaths at Shaheed Nur Hossain Square at 7 am and offering of special prayers seeking eternal peace of the departed soul of the slain AJL leader.In a statement yesterday, Awami League General Secretary and Minister for Public Administration Syed Ashraful Islam urged party units across the country and people from all strata to observe the Shaheed Nur Hossain Day in a befitting manner.
