"Shahid Minar" is symbol of liberation war for Bangladesh!

When the state of Pakistan was formed in 1947, its two regions, East Pakistan (also called East Bengal) and West Pakistan, were split along cultural, geographical, and linguistic lines. In 1948, the Government of Pakistan ordained Urdu as the sole national language, sparking extensive protests among the Bengali-speaking majority of East Pakistan. Facing rising sectarian tensions and mass discontent with the new law, the government outlawed public meetings and rallies. The students of the University of Dhaka and other political activists defied the law and organised a protest on 21 February 1952. The movement reached its climax when police killed student demonstrators on that day. The deaths provoked widespread civil unrest led by the Awami Muslim League, later renamed the Awami League. After years of conflict, the central government relented and granted official status to the Bengali language in 1956.

The Language Movement catalysed the assertion of Bengali national identity in Pakistan, and became a forerunner to Bengali nationalist movements, including the 6-point movement and subsequently the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. In Bangladesh, 21 February is observed as Language Movement Day, a national holiday. The Shaheed Minar monument was constructed near Dhaka Medical College in memory of the movement and its victims.

(From Wikipedia)

Located near the Dhaka Medical College in Dhaka, Bangladesh, the national monument known as Shaheed Minar, was established in memory of those who were killed during the 1952 Bengali Language Movement demonstrations. Set upon a fourteen foot high stage, the Shaheed Minar National Monument is constructed from columns of pure marble stone, with stairs and railings painted white and the fences on either side bearing lines of poetry penned by famous poets made out of iron letters. Two statues are placed at the entrance of the monument.

The Bengali Language Movement was formed as a political effort to advocate the recognition of the Bengali language as one of Pakistan’s official languages. At that time Bangladesh was East Pakistan and the Government of Pakistan had declared Urdu to be the sole national language, which the Bengali-speaking majority in the area objected to. In the face of rising sectarian tensions, the government put a ban on public meetings and rallies. Defying the ban, students of the University of Dhaka, along with other political activists, organized a protest to take place on 21 February 1952. Police opened fire on the protestors, resulting in dozens of deaths.

Two days later, students erected a makeshift monument at the site of the massacre in honor of those who had lost their lives. However, this was demolished soon after by the Pakistani police.

The Language Movement on 1952 in Bangladesh!

The 13th and 15th Century

From the 13th century A.D: The Buddhists and Hindus were swamped by the flood of Muslim conquerors and the tide of Islam up to 18th century. Sometimes there were independent rulers like the Hussain Shahi and Ilyas Shahi dynasties, while at other times they ruled on behalf of the Imperial seat of Delhi.

From the 15th century: The Europeans, namely Portuguese, Dutch, French and British traders exerted an economic influence over the region. British political rule over the region began in 1757 A.D., when the last Muslim ruler of Bengal was defeated at Palassey. In 1947 the subcontinent was partitioned into India and Pakistan. Present Bangladesh became the Eastern Wing of the then Pakistan. But the movement for autonomy of East Pakistan started within a couple of years because of language and cultural differences and economic disparity between the two wings.

The Language Movement
The Language Movement of 1952 to recognize Bangla as a state language may be termed as the first step towards independence.

Political and economic deprivation of the Bengalees prompted Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation, to put forward in 1966 his historic six points, the "Magna Carta" which in effect structured the foundation for East Pakistan's future independence.

The War of Liberation
In the 1970 elections, even though the Awami League emerged as the largest party in Pakistan Parliament, it was not allowed to form the government by the ruling military junta. In the backdrop of a non-cooperation movement launched against the military regime by Awami League.

Bangabandhu declared at a historic public meeting held at Ramna Race Course (renamed Suhrawardy Uddyan) on 7 March, 1971, attended by around 2 million people, "The struggle this tune is the struggle for freedom, the struggle this tune is the struggle for independence." It was a defacto declaration of independence.

Thus in a preplanned manner on 25th March 1971. The Pakistan army embarked on what may be termed as history's worst genocide. A military crackdown was ordered, and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib was arrested and taken away to West Pakistan. But just before he was arrested he sent out a call for the liberation war to begin. Known as the Declaration of (lie War of Independence, this hurriedly written historic document read as follows:

"Pak Army suddenly attacked EPR Base at Pilkhana, Rajarbagh Police Line and killing citizens. Street battles are going on in every street of Dacca. Chittagong. I appeal to the nations of the world for help. Our freedom fighters are gallantly fighting with the enemies to free the motherland. I appeal and order you all in the name of Almighty Allah to fight to the last drop of blood to liberate the country. Ask Police, EPR, Bengal Regiment and Ansar to stand by you and to fight. No compromise. Victory is ours. Drive out the enemies from the holy soil of motherland. Convey this message to all Awami League leaders, workers and other patriots and lovers of freedom. May Allah bless you. Joy Bangla".

Independence

After nine months of war, the Pakistani occupation forces surrendered in Dhaka on 16th December. 1971 after killing an estimated three million people. Due to the heroic resistance and supreme sacrifices of the valiant freedom fighters Bangladesh finally became an independent sovereign state.

Father of the Nation Bangahandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the founder- president of Bangladesh. He was subsequently assassinated on 15th August, 1975 by a group of conspirators. After 21 years of military and authoritarian rule, Bangabandhu's party-Bangladesh Awami League led by his illustrious daughter Sheikh Hasina, swept hack to power through a very free and fair parliamentary election held under a Caretaker Government in June. 1996.

From: Discovery bangladesh

A Reale Story On 1971 In Bangladesh & Pakistan War

In 1971 Pakistan Army ceased hostilities with Bangladesh and they were offered by Bangladeshis a safe passage back to Pakistan through India. Indian Army changed the video Bollywood style and replaced Bangladesh soldiers with Indians.

Earlier Indians had offered land transit to all Pakistan soldiers who, out of their own choice, cease fighting their Bangladeshi Muslim brothers.

Indian Hindu government reneged their safe transit passage to Pakistani soldiers when they were passing through India and made that false film where they are showing surrender of Pakistani soldiers to p.e.n.i.s. pump India Army.

In 5000 years of Indian History, Muslim soldiers have never surrendered to Hindus because the word surrender does not exist in their War manuals.

That is the true history of 1971 war and Indian Hindus twisted the history to satisfy their little weeny ego that during 5000 years Hindus did win a war in 1971 which had already stopped under orders from Gevernment of Pakistan.

Bangladeshi Liberation War Document In 1971

The Bangladesh Liberation War is a significant part of the history of the country, and lasted from the 26th of March 1971 until the 16th of December 1971. War broke out during this time between East and West Pakistan. West Pakistan became Pakistan by the end of the war, and East Pakistan is known today as Bangladesh. Finding a formidable ally in India, the East Pakistan forces were able to drive the West Pakistani armed military from their territory and gain their independence as Bangladesh. Unfortunately, independence came with a price and sacrifice, and a story of heroism and courage that every citizen of Bangladesh should know about.

Sharing and educating the troubled, yet victorious, heritage with the youth of Bangladesh is vital, as it not only keeps the battles and history alive, but creates an awareness and pride in the history of Bangladesh. In order to bring the story of Bangladesh to life, legendary film director, Tanvir Mokammel, has taken on the challenge to produce a non-profit documentary and show it at educational institutions and schools.

Citibank, in Dhaka, have committed their support to the project through financial assistance, to ensure that the film, named “1971”, can be completed by its envisioned deadline of December, as they too realize the importance and value of the film. With the help and collaboration of the Bangladesh film industry, Tanvir Mokammel will be screening a 120 minute documentary that consists of new footage, but also has inserts of footage that was taken during this time, from international agencies and local footage.

The original footage that survived the war brings the images of the struggles and obstacles that were faced by Bangladesh into the present time. Historical moments of the past are flashed onto the world of today, helping the youth to understand how their freedom and independence was won through the determination and faith of everyday citizens. The documentary, “1971”, is a frank look into the archives of the country and the hearts of every person who loves Bangladesh, as much as their forefathers loved East Pakistan. The national liberation of East Pakistan, and the founding of Bangladesh is a heritage that each citizen can, and should, be proud of. Through this emotional and liberating documentary, the roots and culture of Bangladesh, can live on for future generations.

From: Bangladesh