DHAKA, Mar 25 : Marking Bangladesh’s ‘Genocide Day’, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, recalling the nation’s darkest day, slammed the Pakistan Army’s notorious 1971 operation, codenamed ‘Operation Searchlight’, and termed it a “pre-planned massacre” which is emblematic as “one of the most disgraceful and brutal days” in history.
In a statement on X, Rahman, remembering the butchery carried out more than five decades ago, said “In the history of freedom-loving Bangladesh, 25 March 1971 remains one of the most disgraceful and brutal days.
“On that dark night, the Pakistani occupation forces carried out one of the most heinous genocides in history against the unarmed people of Bangladesh in the name of ‘Operation Searchlight’.”
Recalling the military operation, Rahman said that the Pakistan Army had indiscriminately targeted students, academics and civilians, carrying out relentless attacks across the country, including in Dhaka University, Pilkhana and Rajarbagh Police Lines.
Contemporary estimates suggest that hundreds were killed on the university compound alone, while thousands of civilians were ruthlessly butchered.
As per historical accounts, the casualties of ‘Operation Searchlight’ range between 300,000 – 3 million ethnic Bengalis, while somewhere between 200,000 and 400,000 women were subjected to sexual torture and gang rapes in military style ‘rape camps.’
Rahman said that remembering the events of this dark day were crucial for all to know, particularly for future generations of the country, so that they can understand the sheer gravity, and overall significance of Bangladesh’s independence.
“It is essential to know about the genocide of 25 March,” he said, urging citizens to uphold the values of the liberation struggle, including equality, human dignity and social justice.
“Let us honour the sacrifices of the martyrs and work together to build a just, developed, prosperous, self-reliant and democratic Bangladesh,” he added.
The Prime Minister’s statement marking the anniversary of ‘Genocide Day’ comes on a particularly noteworthy moment, as Dhaka has witnessed a strong shift in its political dynamics following the interim administration of former Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, as this one and a half year period marked a historically all time-low deterioration in diplomatic ties with India, while simultaneously marking a strong rise in minority discrimination, Islamic extremism, ban of the Awami League, and growing rapprochement with Pakistan. Additionally, it also saw the political re-registration of the Jamaat-e-Islami, which remains the country’s most controversial political party, due to its historical support for Pakistan Army’s genocide campaign, and anti-liberation stance.
In the recent February elections, Rahman’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party secured 212 seats, while the Jamaat came a close second, winning 77 seats, making it a potent political opposition group, and further strengthening its position within the political system.
The Jamaat, is historically known to have opposed Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, and has long been accused of supporting Pakistani forces during Operation Searchlight, including organising militias, identifying targets and assisting military operations on the ground.
(UNI)
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