By Rumana Jaman

DHAKA, Dec 15, 2025 (BSS)- “Purbo Digonte Surjo Uthese, Rakta Lal Rakta Lal Rakta Lal…” On a mist-shrouded December morning, the radiant sun of independence rose over the horizon of Bangladesh, as the red-green flag soared proudly in the sky.

The air resonated with the chorus of countless voices singing “Amar Sonar Bangla, Ami Tomay Bhalobashi…”. Thus, the day remains etched as one of eternal pride and jubilation for the nation, while at the same time carrying the heart-rending cries and grief of those who lost their dearest ones. 

Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 16, will mark the 54th anniversary of the nation’s triumph, the Great Victory Day. It is a day the people of Bangladesh will forever cherish with pride.

On this day in 1971, through a valiant struggle, the Bengali nation secured victory and imprinted the name of Bangladesh as an independent and sovereign state on the world map. In doing so, the true spirit of the War of Liberation found its rightful recognition.

Each year, the people of the country celebrate the day with joy, fervour, and enthusiasm, honoring the sacrifices that brought freedom.

When the Pakistani occupation forces unleashed a brutal genocide on the sleeping, unarmed civilians of this country in the night of March 25, 1971, using lethal weapons such as tanks and cannons, the resistance movement began, and the war for liberation was set in motion.

The brave sons of the nation rushed to the battlefield to confront the enemy. The lure of life meant little to them. They had no formal military training, nor did they possess sophisticated weapons. Literally armed with whatever they had, the valiant sons of the soil stood face to face with the enemy and fought to the death in the struggle for freedom.

For nine long months, brave sons of the country, irrespective of religion, caste or language, fought an unequal war against the Pakistani army. 

Ultimately, through the sacrifice of three million lives and cost of the honour of 200,000 mothers and sisters, and immense material losses, the freedom was achieved and freedom fighters snatched the final victory and freed the nation from the shackles of subjugation.

By creating allies and opponents fraction and following a colonial “divide and rule” policy, the genocidal Awami League plundered Bangladesh for more than a decade and a half. The people of the country could not tolerate this division. As a result, resistance and struggle against fascism began once again. Eventually, in continuity with the blood-soaked struggle of 1971, a new Bangladesh began its journey through the mass uprising of 2024.

Leaders of various political parties have spoken about this newly begun journey. They said that after the mass uprising of ’24, this year’s Victory Day has appeared before the nation with a new sense of hope.

In exclusive conversations with BSS, they said that in the transformed new Bangladesh, alongside the joy of Victory Day’s historic moment, there also exists deep uncertainty. Fascist forces are once again attempting to raise their heads. 

However, they believe that if strong unity can be forged at this crucial juncture of democratic transition, the joy of victory will become everlasting.

 

Salahuddin Ahmed calls for anti-fascist unity to be national force

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed today said the nation celebrated its first Victory Day after last year’s July 24 mass uprising in a uniquely joyous atmosphere, as people experienced victory “with full hearts in a free and independent environment”.

He said that although a year has passed since the uprising, political debates surrounding the upcoming elections have led to visible divisions in society. Taking advantage of these divisions, he warned, undemocratic and fascist forces are attempting to re-emerge.

Following the announcement of the national election schedule, Salahuddin Ahmed said a recent incident involving an attack on Hadi has created a painful and tense atmosphere across the country.

Expressing concern, he said the fallen fascist forces and their allies are continuing efforts to obstruct the country’s democratic transition.

Salahuddin Ahmed stressed that unity among Bangladesh’s pro-democratic forces and all anti-fascist political parties is now crucial to firmly establish national sovereignty and democracy.

He said only through such unity would be possible to prevent renewed attempts by terrorist, anti-democratic and fascist forces to regain influence.

He said the blood of the martyrs of the 2024 mass uprising now represents the people’s aspiration for liberation.

According to Salahuddin Ahmed, the people of Bangladesh seek to establish democracy, end discriminatory social systems, secure democratic and constitutional rights, and regain lost human rights.

He added that the mass uprising stands as the ultimate expression of the collective will of the nation.

The BNP leader said the immediate priority is to transform anti-fascist national unity into a strong national force while advancing preparations for the days ahead.

He said that through this process, a strong democratic state can be built through the upcoming national parliamentary elections.

Salahuddin Ahmed added that this objective reflects the true spirit of victory, the nation’s expectations and the aspirations embodied in the blood of the martyrs.

Martyrs’ sacrifice marks a glorious chapter in history: Dr Shafiqur Rahman

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman said Victory Day, achieved through the Liberation War of 1971, is a source of immense pride in the nation’s history, marked by the glory of sacrifice.

He said the victory came after a prolonged nine-month bloody struggle and the sacrifice of countless martyrs, describing it as a glorious chapter in the history of Bangladesh.

Stating that the student–people’s uprising of 2024 has opened a new chapter in fulfilling the spirit of the Liberation War, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said his party remains committed to building a humane Bangladesh by reflecting the aspirations of the nation.

He said that on Victory Day there should be a collective call for unity, urging all to set aside differences, rise above party lines and opinions, and work together to build a peaceful, prosperous and welfare-oriented state.

Paying tribute to all the martyrs, brave freedom fighters and the struggling people who sacrificed their lives in the Liberation War, the Jamaat Ameer said, “We seek forgiveness from the Almighty Allah for the eternal peace of the departed souls of all those who sacrificed their lives in the Liberation War. In return for their sacrifice, we have got an independent, sovereign and dignified state.”

He said, “On the Victory Day, I pray to Allah to grant us the ability to build Bangladesh as a peaceful, secure, prosperous, humane state based on equality and social justice.”

Mahfuj Alam rejects attempts to pit 2024 against 1971

Mahfuj Alam, former adviser to the interim government, said the July 2024 revolution continues the long-standing anti-colonial and pro-democracy struggles of Bangladesh, including the Pakistan Movement, the 1969 mass uprising, the Liberation War of 1971, and the 1990 mass uprising.

He emphasized that the people of Bangladesh have long fought for their dignity and identity, and firmly rejected any attempt to portray the events of 2024 in opposition to those of 1971.

He emphasized that in every phase of Bangladesh’s history, the people have consistently pursued the protection of their self-respect, democracy, language, culture, and national identity, while striving to establish a democratic state.

He noted that from 1947, through the Language Movement of 1952, the 1969 mass uprising, the Liberation War of 1971, and the 1990 mass uprising, each generation has contributed to this ongoing struggle for rights and democracy.

Mahfuj Alam said the July 2024 revolution cannot be separated from previous struggles in the country. 

He emphasized that the goal of all these movements has been to secure the freedom, liberation, and dignity of the people of Bangladesh.

He added that whenever the nation faced internal or external colonialism, the people of Bangladesh have consistently risen to resist and fight against it.

Mahfuj Alam said that from 1947 to 1971, Bangladeshis waged a prolonged struggle against internal colonialism, which after 1971 evolved into resistance against Indian expansionism and hegemony.

He added that in the ongoing fight for the dignity of the people of Bangladesh, the years 1947, 1971, and 2024 are all interconnected, forming a continuous thread in the nation’s history.

On the Victory Day, he paid tribute to the long struggle, movement and sacrifice of the people of Bangladesh. 

Mahfuj Alam said, “The blood of none of our martyrs is different. All are people of this soil, soldiers who fought for this soil.”

Maintaining sacrifice of martyrs is a biggest challenge: Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain

BNP Standing Committee member Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said that on the Victory Day he deeply remembers all the martyrs of the Great War of Independence. 

At the same time, he said, the martyrs of the July mass uprising are also remembered with due respect.

He said that although the victory was achieved in 1971, that independence remained unprotected. “The country’s independence was completed through the mass uprising of 2024,” he opined. 

Through the victory of 2024, he said, the people are now feeling the taste of real victory as the country is free from the Awami fascists. 

Hossain said that throughout his life he has participated in many movements and struggles.  Even after winning, he said, he has lost again and again, adding, “Many victories were achieved, but they could not be sustained.” 

Now, he said, the biggest question has arisen: whether the nation can sustain the sacrifices of those who were martyred in the long democratic movement, those who were tortured, oppressed or disappeared, and those who lost their lives or were crippled in the Mass Uprising of 2024.

He said, “We always say we want better, we want better. There is no end to our desire to get. But the Almighty Allah has given us the opportunity to maintain the victory of the mass uprising and keep the spirit of the Great Liberation War alive.” 

He continued: “We must fulfill all the expectations of the people that could not be fulfilled in the aftermath of the Liberation War. Therefore, collective efforts of all are needed to maintain this victory.”

Victory is a continuous struggle, not a fixed achievement: A.S.M. Abdur Rob

Freedom fighter, former DUCSU VP and JSD President A.S.M. Abdur Rob said that the significance of Victory Day should not be confined to the past; rather, it is a day of moral, political and progressive commitment.

He said that after a long struggle, the Great War of Independence in 1971 gifted the nation an independent state. 

However, the Mass Uprising of 2024 exposed the ultimate truth that the state that was born still lacks a republic based on equality, human dignity and social justice.

Rob said that in the new and difficult political reality, a new task has been added to Victory Day—implementing the popular aspirations of 1971 and 2024. 

That task, he said, is to overthrow colonial, oppressive, authoritarian or fascist rule and establish a new political settlement based on the participation of all people and a participatory democracy, he said. 

He said that the core objective of the Liberation War was to ensure an exploitation-free society, people’s sovereignty and a dignified civil life, but that consciousness has repeatedly been distorted due to long dictatorship and discrimination.

Rob further said that victory is not a fixed or self-sufficient achievement, but an ongoing process and a continuous struggle. 

When a regime takes a strong position against democracy and human dignity, he said, victory remains incomplete. 

According to him, the mass uprising of 2024 has issued a historic call to fill that incompleteness.

“The real goal of Victory Day after the mass uprising should be to build a non-discriminatory society where economic and social justice are ensured, freedom and sovereignty are protected from internal and external interference, and real ownership of the republic—sovereignty—is established in the hands of the people,” he said.

 He called on Victory Day to be a renewed pledge to fulfill the promise of democracy by building a non-discriminatory republic and ensuring people’s participation in state governance.

Victory Day opens door to new possibilities after Mass Uprising:  Saiful Haque

Bangladesh Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque said that this year’s Victory Day has opened the door to new expectations. 

He said that after a long 16 years, the nation has achieved a new victory through an extraordinary mass awakening and mass uprising, making this Victory Day significant.

He said that Bangladesh emerged as a victorious nation on December 16, 1971, through the formal surrender of the Pakistan occupation forces following the armed Liberation War. 

However, he said, over the past few decades that victory was largely reduced to defeat.

Haque said that equality, human dignity and social justice were the core declarations of the War of Independence, based on which the Constitution of 1972 was formulated. 

But over the last 54 years, he said, Bangladesh has moved backward in some respects, similar to India. Like the Pakistani era, he said, two economies and two societies have been created within one country. 

As a result, he said people’s dreams have turned into nightmares, hopes have been shattered, and the nation has stumbled far from its expectations.

He said that the central theme of the current mass uprising is the anti-discrimination movement, meaning there should be no discrimination based on religion, caste, gender or in any sphere. 

Through the July Charter, he said, a commitment has been made to build a discrimination-free state. 

While there may be differences of opinion as a nation, he said, national unity can be built around independence and sovereignty, national security, the democratic journey and an equality-based society.

If that unity is achieved, he said, this year’s Victory Day will carry new significance and new possibilities.

Haque expressed hope that this year’s Victory Day celebration would lead to a renewed oath to complete the unfinished political tasks of the Liberation War. 

He said that only by building an equality-based, democratic, humane and accountable state, government and constitution can the true joy of victory be fulfilled.

 

Victory Day opens door to new hopes: Selima Rahman

BNP Standing Committee member Selima Rahman said that Bangladesh achieved independence through the Liberation War of 1971 and a long struggle, but true independence has not yet been achieved. 

Democracy has not been established in the country, nor have a discrimination-free society and the fundamental rights of the people been ensured.

She said that after the Mass Uprising of 2024, this year’s Victory Day has opened the door to new hopes for the nation. 

“The date of the national election has been fixed. As a result, we hope that by establishing democracy in the country in the future, we will be able to fulfill the aspirations of the common people,” she said.

Selima Rahman said that irrespective of party affiliation, students, workers, common people, and all anti-fascist political parties are working together to ensure that there are no obstacles on the path to democratic transition. 

“The goal is to establish good governance and ensure the fundamental rights of the people by forming an accountable government,” she said.

Referring to comments from the younger generation that the Mass Uprising of 2024 has surpassed the Liberation War of 1971, Selima Rahman said that every generation has its own way of thinking. 

She said that during the Liberation War, the young society of that time, along with workers and people from all walks of life united to free themselves from Pakistani exploitation. 

In the Mass Uprising of 2024, students rose against tyranny to eliminate inequality, resulting in the expulsion of tyranny from the country.

She said that every mass uprising has its own special value and that one should not be compared with another. 

“The Mass Uprising of 2024 is a recognition of the true spirit of the Liberation War,” she said.

Selima Rahman added that if Bangladesh had not achieved independence, the Mass Uprising of 2024 would not have been possible.

 She said that this year’s Victory Day will be celebrated with joy and enthusiasm by people of all ages, including the elderly and the youth, workers, students, and the common people.
 

The joy of victory fades amid qualm: Manna

Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna said the main goal of any victory is the progress and advancement of society. Despite all the backwardness of society, however it is democracy, economy or sense of life; every uprising or every victory ultimately speaks of the emancipation of all section of a society, he said. 

“According to it, our victory of 1971 is not completed. Even, no victory is complete in that sense until the end, because, as time goes by, new questions and problems come up to the fore in the context of various situations. We keep moving forward towards resolving those in the spirit of that previous victory. However, it is no longer completely resolved,” he said.

Manna said during the 1971 Liberation War, the nation's aspiration was that this fight should be the final fight so that a sign of a change in society was found. “But the victory we achieved after a nine-month war has faded away in the lapse of time.”

Noting that the 2024 is the continuation of 1971, he said the aspiration for equality, dignity and justice of 1971 has been reaffirmed through the 2024 uprising. “Mujibism tried to discard national sovereignty by including the 1971 in the Indian narrative, but the 2024 has restored the true spirit of the independence and liberation war,” he added.

The Nagorik Oikya convener said they have achieved a new victory in the 2024 mass uprising while they won an extraordinary and unprecedented fight against tyranny but, like the 1971, they have not been able to fully enjoy the taste of victory this time too. 

“Because, new challenges are constantly coming up before us in new forms. One of the biggest issues is - achieving victory again through democratic transition, which we have not yet been able to achieve. We can move forward by facing this big challenge through an acceptable election. The entire nation is united today with this intent,” he said.

Manna voiced his concern and said recently, there was an attack on Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Osman Hadi. 

“There is no guarantee that it will not happen to me tomorrow. It is not clear what will happen! Will this state be able to provide me with security? In such a state of concern, the joy of victory actually diminishes. Despite that, we have to reach the place of victory by over-passing. That fight is going on now and will continue," he added.

After 54 years, we are going to face the post-71 like reality: Hasnat Qayum

Chief Coordinator of the State Reform Movement Hasnat Qayum said this Victory Day has a shadow of the Victory Day of 1973. 

“After the victory in 1971, there was a kind of disappointment on the Victory Days in 1972 and 1973. That time, many of the freedom fighters were disappointed. There were various allegations, unrest, and concern against some people, and the current situation is exactly the same. In line with aspiration of the 2024 mass uprising, the frustration and uncertainty that preceded this Victory Day seems almost the same. If we had learned from these lessons, maybe we could have had a different Victory Day this time, but we never learn from the history. This is the reality,” he said.

Hasnat Qayum said after 54 years of independence, they have to face the same reality after 1971. At that time, all those who were real freedom fighters and who scarified their lives for the country, were excluded, and the ownership went to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's family, he said, adding that the ownership of the movement or war was centralised to grab wealth.
Unfortunately, after this war, its ownership was made very small in a similar institutional way and those who were made institutional owners were tried to belittle their character by misleading and tempting some of them, he said.

For these reasons, Qayyum said, such a mindset is gobbling up everyone that such a great achievement attained in the 2024 mass uprising is being lost in a very short time. 

“Yet, bypassing this situation, politicians are trying to protect this achievement. So, from that point of view, this year's Victory Day is significant so that the victory of 2024 is not lost like the victory of 1971. It is an urgent to remain alert, be vigilant and take such effort so that it does not lead to any final unfortunate consequences like19 71. This is my realisation on this year's Victory Day,” he said.

 

July Uprising is continuation of Liberation War: Monju

AB Party Chairman Mozibur Rahman Monju has said that the July Uprising of 2024 is a continuation of the Liberation War of 1971.

Criticising the role of the recently ousted Awami League government, he said the deposed administration had attempted from the very beginning to claim the Liberation War as its own, a claim that was completely undermined in 2024.

Monju made the remarks ahead of the grand Victory Day celebrations scheduled for tomorrow. 

He said the misrule, plundering, and other malicious activities of the Awami League, along with their tendency to claim undue credit for the Liberation War, had tarnished the nation’s Liberation War spirit.

“The historic significance of the Liberation War became even more relevant after August 5, 2024. Following the uprising, Victory Day has emerged as a memorable milestone of self-realization and the nation’s bloody struggle,” the AB Party chief said.

“We take a renewed oath to unite against fascism ahead of Victory Day,” Monju added, emphasizing that the victory achieved against the discrimination of fascists and enemies of the country, in line with the struggles of 1971 and 2024, will never be allowed to go in vain.

Victory of Mass Uprising Will Not Be Foiled: Adv. Subrata Chowdhury

Gono Forum Acting President Adv. Subrata Chowdhury has said that although the people’s victories during the 1952 Language Movement, the 1971 Liberation War, and the 1990 Anti-Ershad Mass Uprising have often been “hijacked” under political realities, the victory of the anti-fascist mass uprising of 2024 should not be foiled in any way.

The Gono Forum leader made the remarks ahead of Victory Day, to be observed tomorrow across the country.

Adv. Subrata said those who have been fighting against fascism are now becoming targets of killings. “The sacrifices of the martyrs will go in vain if we fail to prevent the killers who dared to target people defending the country’s democracy,” he added.

He further said, “We could not fully achieve the goals of the 1971 Liberation War. Following the mass uprising of 2024, a new hope has emerged among the people to realize the dream of Liberation War by building a new Bangladesh that reflects the aspirations of the July Mass Uprising.”

“We must move forward to fulfill the people’s aspirations by upholding the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War and the 2024 Mass Uprising together, unitedly, irrespective of caste, creed, or religion,” he said.

Terming this year’s Victory Day as particularly significant, Adv. Subrata noted that the present interim government is attempting to implement reforms, having been given the opportunity to lead the nation.

“So, we hope that the people’s aspirations will be reflected through their participation in the next election,” he added.