November 7, 1975: A Defining Turning Point in Bangladesh’s History, Says Prime Minister
Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman has said the historic November 7 of 1975 was the date that set the course for Bangladesh. He said, “Let the revolutionary spirit of November 7 be the inspiration and strength for building Bangladesh’s future.” He said this in a message on the occasion of “Historic National Revolution and Solidarity Day.” The government has taken up a series of programs for the day, and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has also announced its own programs.
In the message, the Prime Minister said, “On this day in 1975, the soldiers and the people of the country stood united and stopped every plot against the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh. In the history of the country, the historic November 7 was the day Bangladesh identified its enemies and friends.” He said it is not wise to stay absorbed in history all the time. In the same way, failing to learn from history while shaping the future is also a historic mistake.
Mr. Tarique Rahman said, “I believe the historic November 7 of 1975 is the date that set the course for Bangladesh. Some wanted to keep Bangladesh a puppet state. Some wanted to take away the democratic political rights of the people and impose one party autocratic rule. Some wanted to trample the glory of the army, which is the symbol of the nation’s strength, courage and honor. On this day in 1975, they were defeated by the historic revolution of patriotic soldiers and people.”
The Prime Minister said in the message that history is witness to what followed. The force defeated on November 7, 1975 followed a long path of conspiracy. It later united under the name of the Grand Alliance (Mahajot) and turned the country into a puppet state. It carried out a planned massacre of army officers at BDR Pilkhana and trampled the glory and dignity of the army. It took away the people’s right to vote and their democratic political rights, and imposed fascist rule. After more than 15 years, the country has finally been freed from fascism through the sacrifice of thousands of martyrs and the bloody mass uprising of brave students and people.
The Prime Minister said, “The war of 1971 was fought to win independence. The year 2024 was about protecting the independence of the country and its people. In 2024, people from every walk of life came onto the streets to protect that independence. In the same way, in 1975, soldiers and people came onto the streets united and stopped every conspiracy against the independence and sovereignty of the country.”
He said, “Our main pledge this November 7 should be that nobody can ever again take away the rights of the country and its people, or turn the country into a puppet state. National unity is needed to keep this pledge.” Mr. Tarique Rahman said that to keep national unity strong in the social, economic, geographic and political reality of Bangladesh, the spirit of the revolution of soldiers and people, as seen on November 7, must be held in heart and mind.
He said, “The war of independence in 1971, the revolution of soldiers and people on November 7, 1975 against the puppet force, the movement against autocracy in 1990, and the mass uprising against fascism in 2024 all had one aim. That aim was to build a self reliant, safe and welfare state in independent Bangladesh by establishing democratic political rights for all people.”
He said, “On this historic day, let the bold voice of patriotic and democracy loving people be: Not Delhi, not Pindi, not any other country, Bangladesh first.”
Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman wished success to all programs marking the national observance of November 7. He said, “Let the revolutionary spirit of November 7 be the inspiration and strength for building Bangladesh’s future.”
