Martyred Intellectuals Day– December 14, 2021

In Bangladesh, Martyred Intellectuals Day is observed on 14 December. The day honors over 1,000 intellectuals eliminated by Pakistan forces throughout the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. Simply when victory was on the horizon, Pakistan abducted and brutally killed some of the best minds in Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan). The aim was to obliterate the whole intellectual class of Bangladesh. Martyred Intellectuals Day ensures that the world never forgets the efforts and bravery of these extraordinary individuals.

HISTORY OF MARTYRED INTELLECTUALS DAY
The story behind one of the darkest days in Bangladesh’s history starts not long after India’s Independence from Britain in 1947. The British left behind a broken country, both literally and figuratively. It was a time of great sorrow as the subcontinent split into two countries: India and Pakistan. The factors for the department were simply spiritual. All Muslim-majority areas became Pakistan.

Over 1,000 miles across ordinary East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh). Controlled by Bengalis, East Pakistan was culturally, socially, and linguistically distinct in every imaginable way.

Tensions rose in between the 2 areas as West Pakistan looked for outright control. West Pakistan declined to accept “Bengali” as a state language.

Things came to a head in March 1971 throughout elections in East Pakistan. The Awami League Celebration based in East Pakistan won the elections. Yet, the Pakistan People’s Celebration (West Pakistan based) refused to hand over the reins. Violence took place. The West Pakistan army went on the offensive. And thus, began the Bangladesh Liberation War, triggered by a rousing require Bengali self-determination.

Sensing defeat, the West Pakistan forces dealt a last, crippling blow to East Pakistan. On December 14, 1971, the army abducted scores of East Pakistani intellectuals from their houses. They tortured and killed over 1000 people– particularly, teachers, doctors, engineers, reporters, lawyers, and researchers. In a vicious twist, Pakistani forces gave up just 2 days later on, and an independent Bangladesh formed. Martyred Intellectuals Day honors the memory of these impressive individuals who lost their lives for the idea of Bangladesh.

MARTYRED INTELLECTUALS DAY TIMELINE
March 25, 1971
An Unwary City Witnesses a Holocaust
The Pakistan army launches Operation Starlight– a methodical genocide of 7,000 innocent Bengali civilians.

December 8, 1971
Tensions Intensify
The struggle for Bangladesh magnifies and a curfew is imposed in Dhaka.

December 10, 1971
West Pakistan Prepares Final Attack
West Pakistan settles plans to maim East Pakistan by targeting its intellectuals.

December 14, 1971
East Pakistan Mourns
West Pakistan armies brutally record, abuse, and eliminate at least 1,000 East Pakistan intellectuals.

MARTYRED INTELLECTUALS DAY FAQS
Who are called Martyred Intellectuals?
Martyred Intellectuals describes the brightest minds of Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan) killed by Pakistan forces throughout the Freedom War in 1971. They made up theorists, instructors, litterateurs, artists, journalists, researchers, designers, engineers, attorneys, social workers, activists, musicians, and stars.

How many intellectuals passed away in 1971?
Informal estimates record that a minimum of 1,111 intellectuals lost their lives on 25 March and 14 December 1971. The majority of the executions occurred on these two days.

Where is the Martyred Intellectuals memorial?
Martyred Intellectuals Memorial depends on Dhaka’s Rayerbazar. The memorial stands at the site of the brick kilns where individuals discovered the bodies of the intellectuals.

HOW TO OBSERVE MARTYRED INTELLECTUALS DAY
Check Out the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial
When in Dhaka, go to the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial to pay your aspects to a few of Bangladesh’s biggest thinkers and scholars. The Memorial lies at Rayerbazar, Mohammadpur Thana, in Dhaka.

View a documentary or film
Look up films about the Bangladesh Freedom War. We advise “Amar Bondhu Rashed” and “1971”– both incredibly gripping and informative.

Read, and check out some more
Magnify their stories. Find journals, documents, online publications, and news portals that record the lives and accomplishments of Bangladesh’s martyred intellectuals. Share what you have learned with those around you.

5 TRUTHS ABOUT ALTAF MAHMUD THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND
The advanced bard
Altaf Mahmud was an artist and martyred intellectual who composed “Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano”– the popular song of the Bangladesh Liberation War.

The traveling advanced bard
Throughout the 1950s, Mahmud traveled from place to put singing Bengali songs to influence public opinion on the Language Motion.

A male of lots of skills
Apart from being a master musician, Mahmud likewise operated in 19 different films, consisting of the renowned “Jibon Theke Neya.”

Real to the cause, versus all odds
Mahmud created a secret hideout inside his house for activists and freedom fighters.

Recognized and awarded posthumously
Altaf Mahmud, who passed away in 1971, was awarded the prestigious “Ekushey Padak” in 1977.

WHY MARTYRED INTELLECTUALS DAY IS NECESSARY
Wars are fought in different ways
We have days devoted to soldiers and veterans. A day for martyred intellectuals is just as important. Their writings, tunes, and thoughts provided wings and flight to the Liberation War.

Respect for grieving families
Observing Martyred Intellectuals Day appreciates the families who still cope with personal and historical trauma. Although nothing can reduce such huge loss, honoring the day provides a semblance of closure.

Never forget
Martyred Intellectuals Day is a reminder of history. In keeping records of martyred intellectuals, the day works as a crucial historic source for future generations.