Future of 1971 Spirit at Stake, Hasina Cautions on Victory Day
Ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina warned on Victory Day that the ideals of Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War face renewed challenges. She alleged the resurgence of defeated forces seeking to distort history and undermine national memory. Hasina urged citizens to protect the spirit of independence and remain united in defending the country’s foundational values.
Dhaka Dec 16: As Bangladesh observed Victory Day, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued a strong warning, expressing anxiety over what she described as the resurgence of forces that were defeated during the country’s 1971 spirit against Pakistan.
Reflecting on history, Hasina recalled that after nine months of intense resistance led by the Awami League, Bangladesh secured independence on December 16, 1971, at the cost of countless lives, culminating in the surrender of Pakistani troops.
In a statement shared on the Awami League’s official social media handle on X, Hasina said that while Victory Day is a moment of pride, it is also marked by grief, as elements defeated in 1971 have, according to her, reappeared under new pretenses. She alleged that these forces exploited an anti-discrimination movement to mislead the public, orchestrate violence, and unlawfully take control of power.
The former Prime Minister pointed out that during the protests in 2024—which eventually resulted in her removal from office—the first major attack targeted Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic residence at Dhanmondi 32. She noted that this was followed by repeated assaults on monuments and symbols associated with the Liberation War.
Hasina said that on August 5, the initial act of violence was symbolically directed at Bangabandhu himself. She stated that his ancestral home at Dhanmondi 32, a site inseparable from the nation’s freedom movement and from where independence was proclaimed, was set ablaze. She further claimed that across Bangladesh, statues and memorials dedicated to Bangabandhu and the Liberation War were destroyed, the Liberation War Museum was ransacked, and even mass killing sites and memorial grounds were attacked.
Criticising the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus, Hasina alleged that the country has been gripped by disorder for nearly 17 months, during which the ideals and history of the Liberation War have been systematically undermined.
According to her, freedom fighters have faced physical assaults, defamatory campaigns have targeted the Father of the Nation, and distorted narratives have been promoted to weaken the significance of the Liberation War. She also claimed that the generation that led the liberation struggle is being branded as the “worst generation” and that individuals convicted of war crimes have been freed.
Despite her criticism, Hasina extended Victory Day greetings to the people of Bangladesh and paid homage to the freedom fighters. She appealed to citizens to remain steadfast in upholding the principles and spirit of the Liberation War amid what she described as a difficult phase for the nation.
Concluding her message, the former Prime Minister expressed confidence that the forces she termed as “defeated” would be overcome once again. Drawing a parallel with December 16, 1971, she asserted that Bangladesh would reclaim victory under the leadership of the Awami League and vowed that the country, born out of the Liberation War, would not be surrendered to what she called the schemes of a small group of deceivers. (Edited)
