Martyred Intellectuals Day in Montreal was commemorated in Montreal, Canada, by the Global Alliance against Atrocity and Violence on Humanity, a Montreal based humanitarian organization. The martyred intellectuals in 1971 just two days before the victory of the War of Independence after long nine months of war with Pakistan. The martyred intellectuals in Bangladesh were the nation building professionals in their own rights in different respective arenas such as doctors, professors, lawyers, journalists, authors etc. Around 1,000 such intellectual individuals were killed by the local collaborators of the Pakistan Army just two days before surrendering on 16th of December in 1971 to the joint forces of the Eastern Command of the Indian Army.
The local collaborating groups of the war monger Pakistan Army did this heinous act to make the newly commencing nation crippled devoid of its bright sons. However, they have failed in realizing their hateful objectives. But they didn’t stop pursuing taking revenge.
The program was divided into two parts: discussion on the sacrifice of the martyrs and Independence of Bangladesh and cultural performance reminiscing the War and sacrifice of the Freedom Fighters, Birangona, women victims of torture and atrocities by the Pakistan Army and their collaborators in the War in 1971.
The program was chaired by Ms. Ishrat Alam, Chairperson, Global Alliance against Atrocity and Violence on Humanity, Montreal, Canada. Mr. Munshi Bashir, President, Bangladesh Awami League, Quebec, was the Chief Guest. Mr. Shishir Bhattacharya, former Director, Institute of Modern Languages, University of Dhaka, Mr. Sajjad Hossain Sweet, Organizing Secretary, Canada Awami League, Mr. Tajul Mohammad, Freedom Fighters, The War of Independence, Bangladesh, Mr. CB Singh, President, India-Canada Association of Montreal Inc., were Special Guests in the program.
Among others, Fatema Begum, Asst. Teacher, Bengali Language, Montreal, Sushanta Barua, Adviser, Global Alliance, Shah Alam Molla, Businessman, Montreal, Bazlur Rashid, President, Munshiganj Association, Mr. Yakub, Freedom Fighter, Mr. Masud Khan, Editor, The Star Avis, Mr. Abdul Baset and Mr. Abdul Gafur delivered their speeches on the occasion.
Syed Jahangir, Joint Secretary of Global Alliance, Montreal, conducted the session.
Ms. Ishrat Alam, the Chair of the program, in her speech, said that mass movements were started by the common people, the intellectuals created the field. The collaborators realized that the Bengalis wouldn’t be defeated, so they wanted to make the new nation devoid of intellectuals. Mr. Munshi Bashir said that 1,111 Bengali intellectuals were killed by the Pakistani Army and their pawns in 1971 while the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs made a list of 560 martyred intellectuals.
She said, because of self-interested politics, we are facing defeats even after 54 years of independence. Today, freedom of speech doesn’t exist in the country, not even the journalists. We have just come to know that Mr. Anis Alamgir, a reputed journalist in Bangladesh was arrested by the security forces of Yunus regime because he told the truth. In 1971, the martyred intellectuals also told the truth and protested. No nation can be dominated through persecution. A farce is going to be enacted in the name of General Elections in Bangladesh.
She added that the new generation should be made aware of the history of our independence.
She said that why shouldn’t we keep good relations with a neighboring country referring some quarters’ spites against India. India was our friend in the past and it will remain in the future. She also mentioned that no country can be exclusively for the believers of a specific religion.
We wanted to make a progressive society through our independence. But what are we having today? Religion cannot be a part of politics. Hundred years ago, religion was part of politics in Canada. They have realized that religion cannot be a part of politics.
The enemy of independent Bangladesh have taken over the country. There is no right or freedom of speech for the people, journalists and the media. Journalist Anis Alamgir has been arrested only because of criticizing the role of local collaborators of the Pakistan Army i.e. the Jamaat-e-Islami and their militant wings such as Al-Badar, Al-Shams, Razakar.
She highlighted the relationship between Bangladesh and India as neighboring countries with whom everyone should maintain a good relationship. Unfortunately, some people misinterpret the relationship as exploitative, especially during the previous Awami regime.
Mr. Shishir Bhattacharya said that there exists an untreated hatred between the Hindu and the Muslim communities in the Indian Subcontinent, especially in Bangladesh, barring towards making an inclusive society. Because of this hatred, we have got 1947, 1971 and then 1924. There is historical evidence of bloodshed, especially in Europe, if it is untreated. It will go on if it is not treated.
He added that Bangladesh society has been divided into two groups – one in favor of the independence achieved in 1971 and the other against it. He mentioned that whatever bad happens in Bangladesh, India is blamed for it without any evidence.
We, the Bangladeshi and Pakistani people do not understand that a nation should inclusive for all the different religious believers. After creating Pakistan, Mr. Zinnah said that Pakistan is for all the different religious people, but in two years’ time, the Hindus in Pakistan felt that the country was not theirs.
At the end, he emphasized that we should strive to protect the ideals of our hard-earned independent Bangladesh.
Mr. Tajul Mohammad described the scary days before and during the War of Independence of Bangladesh. He gave examples of how innocent and independence loving people were tortured and killed unscrupulously by the repressive regime of the then Pakistan.
Mr. Yakub commanded and encouraged to fight against the current oppressive regime in Bangladesh who are killing and torturing people who are in favor of Independent Bangladesh including the Freedom Fighters and activists of Awami League.
Mr. CB Singh recalled that two of his family members fought along with the Freedom Fighters against the atrocious Pakistan Army in 1971. He said that it was unimaginable that we would see another independence in Bangladesh after 54 years of its independence from Pakistan. He encouraged the ladies present in the program to come forward and take over the leadership.
Mr. Munshi Bashir said that Pakistan wanted to cripple the country by killing 1,111 intellectuals of the newborn Bangladesh and terrorized the people often killing them in front of their families. He said that India sent their forces to fight the Pakistan Army for Bangladesh. They gave shelter and food to 10 million people from Bangladesh for nine months. They also provided training to the Freedom Fighters of Bangladesh before sending them to fight with the Pakistan Army.
The freedom of the people of Bangladesh has been snatched away by the forces of anti-independence collaborators in the then East Pakistan. People’s safety and security have been compromised by the current interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus. He said that himself is scared to visit his home in Bangladesh.
Mr. Masud Khan, Editor, The Star Avis, pessimistically expressed his feelings that the future of Bangladesh is scary while the anti-independence forces have taken over the helm of the country while there exists a sharp division among the populace on the basic goals and ideals in the making of the nation.
In the cultural part, Ms. Rabeya Hossain and Mufti Faruque recited poems. Ms. Naznin Nisha, Ms. Shafina Karim and Pronob Mithu, Cultural Secretary, Global Alliance, Montreal, rendered musical pieces.
Ms. Shafina Karim, a cultural personality of the Bengali diaspora in Montreal, conducted the cultural session of the program.
The program ended with recitation of poems and musical soiree expressing zeal for an inclusive secular society and protesting the fundamentalist and oppressive government.
