Today is the historic 7th of March. On this day of the fiery March of 1971, at the Ramna Racecourse Maidan (Suhrawardy Udyan) in Dhaka, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the undisputed leader of 75 million Bengalis, embodied the aspirations of the entire nation and declared, 'This time's struggle is our struggle for freedom, this time's struggle is our struggle for independence.
Bangabandhu called on the people to prepare for the liberation struggle and said, 'Build a fortress in every home'.
The Awami League won a majority in the 1970 elections. But the Pakistani ruling class began to hesitate to hand over power to Awami League leader Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. When military president Yahya Khan announced the suspension of the National Assembly session in Dhaka, the people of Bengal took to the streets in protest.
The Non-Cooperation Movement began on March 1 under the leadership of Bangabandhu. While the Pakistan army began a massacre of unarmed Bengalis on the night of March 25, Bangabandhu officially declared the independence of Bangladesh in the early hours of March 26, it was the March 7 declaration that inspired the entire nation to resist and fight for liberation.
Following the path of that guiding speech, the Provisional Government was established in Mujibnagar on April 17, 1971. Under the leadership of this government, the invading Pakistani army surrendered on December 16, after a long, bloody war of liberation that lasted 9 months. The independent, sovereign state of Bangladesh emerged.
The March 7 speech of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu, has become a unique and universal speech not only in national life, but also for the exploited and deprived people of the world who yearn for freedom.
On the occasion of March 7, President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued messages. Various political, social and cultural organizations including Awami League have taken detailed programs on the occasion. Awami League will hoist the national and party flags at Bangabandhu Bhaban and the party office at 6:30 am and pay homage to the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Bhaban in Dhanmondi at 7 am.
A discussion meeting will be held at Bangabandhu International Conference Center at 3 pm. The program will be presided over by Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
In addition, various organizations including Awami Jubo League, Chhatra League, Swechchhasebak League, Krishak League, Sramik League, National Democratic League, Muktijoddha League, Muktijoddha Projonmo League will celebrate March 7 by holding various programs.