Sixteen December, 1971, the most glorious day in the blood shaded history of Liberation War of Bangladesh. After a long desperate stride of nine month war starting from 26 march, 1971, on this day Bangladeshis got their long craving freedom from Pakistan, a country formed by British, taking religion as the key consideration, though the distance between the two parts of it ( East and West Pakistan) was thousand miles which was separated by India, country formed by British considering Hindu majority.

Background

The long seeded hatred against the hyenas of Pakistan Government busted out in full swing in the early months of 1970 when the West Pakistan based Government turned down the issue of handing over the power to Sheikh Mujib of Awami League, who got the majority in the general election of 1970. The condescending Pakistan Government of J.A Bhutto delayed in holding the National Assembly. But, Sheikh Mujib and other political figures of that time were well concerned of the fact that, if they could not get the power to govern, they would never be able to establish the basic rights of the people of West Pakistan who were been longly deprived politically and culturally.

President Yahiya Khan tried to pass the time in vague negotiation with the undisputed leader of West Pakistan, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. In this circumstances on 7 March Sheikh Mujib gave an important speech at Racecourse Maydan ( field) towards the spontaneous people who were eagerly waiting for a call from their national leader. Mujib told the people to be prepared for any kind of situation to make the country better for their living. At thr night of 25 March Sheikh Mujib was imprisoned and the hyenas of Pak Army came to the street with incessant firing on the long deprived innocent and unarmed people which left the city, Dhaka burning with lots of deaths, wounds all around the place. They attacked on the student leaders, general students, teachers, stuffs of Dhaka University, burnt the Hindu Palli and started looting the houses. Within the week, the number of casualties turned to 7000 and almost half of the city people fled leaving the city derelict. The Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, established as a small station at Kalurghat of Chittagong on that very day, announced the declaration of Bangladesh which was dictated by Sheikh Mujib before being imprisoned. Initially the members of the East Bengal Regiment came to resist the Pak Army.

The news of massacre in East Pakistan began to come out to the people of the world by media. It became a major concern of news at that time. Meanwhile, West Pakistan based government tried to convince the world by saying that the ongoing incidents in East Pakistan is an internal matter and they would be able to settle the crisis by themselves. Yahiya Khan, in a letter to the president of USA, told that Sheikh Mujib and his followers were not willingful for a new constitution which would put the country in democratic environment and they were doing every possible thing which would keep Pakistan united. He also told that, the media was giving more frantic picture than in real. On 10 April of 1971, the proclamation of the independence of Bangladesh was issued from Mujib Nagar. Tajuddin Ahmed, Prime Minister, on behalf of the Government of Bangladesh headed by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave a speech on radio. There he told that, ERP was fighting against the Pak Army and police, ansars, Awami League activitists and other volunteers from all over the coutry were going to join the fight. The formation of Bangladesh Government took place at a village Baidyanathtala of Meherpur at Jerssore near Indian Border on 17 April. Sheikh Mujib was named the President of the country while Najrul iIslam was selected as the Vice President. Najrul Islam appointed Tajuddin Ahmed as the Prime M inister of the country who would see the provisional governance. This initiative made the way of being officially recognized to the world that Banhladeshis were fighting for the independence with legality.

Bangladesh was divided into 11 sectors for organizing the war against the Pak Army. All the sectors consist of some subsectors and under each subsectors there were thousands of fighters. A map showing the sectors at the war is given below-

There were also three classified forces named after the initial if the commanders. They were- ‘Z Force’ under Major Ziaur Rahman, ‘K Force’ under Major Khaled Mosharraf and ‘S Force’ under Major Shafiullah. This organised freedom fighters proved to be more effective in the war.

The number of refugees in India increased as the days passed and the US government was not in the side of Bangladeshis on this concern. Meanwhile, the crackdown of blood thirsty Pak Army went on the unarmed Bangladeshis. On several occasions, Tajuddin told that there was no scope of talk with Yahya Khan then. People who were going to India were being gunned down by the Pak Army. Women were raped. The Pak Army made havoc all over the country. Tajuddin sought for help from the countries around the world. India and Soviet Union were working on a peaceful solution of the crisis in East Pakistan. West Pakistan said that Sheikh Mujib will be tried in special military court for the ongoing war in Pakistan. Ravi Shankar organized a concert for the distress people of Bangladesh on 1 August where George Harrison, an ex-member of Beetles took part. The concert was hold at Madison Square Garden. It was really a great sign of humanity from the people of the other sides of the world for the gruffly tortured people of Bangladesh.

The Pak Army organized some betrayer of Bangladesh named as Rajakar Bahini, Al Badar, Al Shams etc who would help them catching the freedom fighters, looting houses, raping women all around the country. But, the valiant freedom fighters were fighting fiercely which led them to great success pushing back the Pak Armies at some places. The third Indo-Pak war broke out on 3 December. Pakistan executed air raid. India gave the recognition to Bangladesh on 6 December. With the help of Indian Army, Mukti Bahini (freedom fighters) of Bangladesh was been able to free many of the Places on the second week of December. They started to move to Dhaka succeeding to push back the Pak Army. Intellectuals of the country were taken by the Rajakar, Al Shams and Al Badar and were slaughtered. It was a great blow for the whole nation which the Pak Army tried as their last action. More and more places became free. At last, on 16 December 90,000 Pakistan soldiers led by their commander General Niazi surrendered to the Joint Forces at Racecourse Maydan. Thus the long craving freedom came after 9 months war with the loss of almost 30, 00,000 lives and dignity of many women.

How the day is observed

The day is a great source of spirit for the Bangladeshis. They observe the day in a festive mood. The day starts with the bombing of gun at dawn. The national flag is hoisted atop at all government and semi-government offices. People place floral wreaths at the National Memorial Monument. The Prime Minister and President greet the countrymen giving messages on press. Buildings are illuminated and festoons can be seen all around the capital and other cities of the country. Rallies, musical programs, street drama, are organized at different p-laces of the country. Special milad mahfil are organized by Islamic Foundation at different mosques. People get inspired for the prosperity of the country.