As Bangladesh marks Genocide Day, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina honors the millions who died in the 1971 crackdown by Pakistani forces. Hasina recalls the horrific night of March 25, 1971, when “Operation Searchlight” was launched, leading to over 3 million deaths in nine months. The term ‘genocide’ is used to describe this unprecedented brutality in Bengali history.
Hasina pays homage to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the leader of the Bengali liberation struggle, and all the martyrs who sacrificed their lives. She highlights the government’s efforts to ensure global recognition of the atrocities committed by Pakistani forces. The declaration of March 25 as ‘Genocide Day’ in 2017 aimed to seek justice and inform the world about Bangladesh’s struggle for independence.
Former PM Hasina emphasizes the importance of holding perpetrators of crimes against humanity accountable. She criticizes the Yunus-led interim government for halting the trial process of war criminals and releasing convicted individuals. Hasina condemns any attempt to distort history or rehabilitate collaborators of the perpetrators, stressing the need to uphold the spirit of the freedom fight.
Sheikh Hasina underscores the unity displayed during the Bangladesh Liberation War and calls for national solidarity to resist any efforts to reintroduce Pakistani ideology. The former PM warns against undermining the sacrifices made during the war and advocates for upholding justice, the rule of law, and the memory of the martyrs.
