The nation is set to observe the 50th Independence and National Day today by paying tribute to the martyrs and valiant sons of the land who laid down their lives for the country’s freedom. Today is a public holiday. The Independence and National Day will not be observed like previous years as the government has suspended all programmes of the day in the aftermath of the coronavirus outbreak.

Usually on this day, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina place wreaths early in the morning as a mark of respect to the martyrs. But this year, all programmes have been suspended. At 00-30 hours On March 26, 1971, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared independence of Bangladesh through the EPR wireless from his Dhanmondi-32 house.

 The great leader also called upon the people to build a united resistance against the occupation forces.

The atrocities committed by the Pakistani occupation forces on the night of March 25 and early hours of the next day on unarmed Bangalees ultimately led to the Liberation War. It was proof that there would be no “negotiation”.