Victory Day 2025: Renewed Calls for a United National Pledge

“Purbo Digonte Surjo Uthese, Rakta Lal Rakta Lal Rakta Lal…” Through the morning mist of a December dawn, the glowing sun of independence rose over Bangladesh, as the red-and-green flag fluttered proudly across the sky.

The air echoed with the collective voices singing, “Amar Sonar Bangla, Ami Tomay Bhalobashi…”. The day remains etched in national memory as one of boundless pride and celebration, while also bearing the searing pain and sorrow of those who lost their loved ones in the struggle for freedom.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 16, marks the 54th anniversary of the nation’s victory—Great Victory Day—a date the people of Bangladesh will forever hold close with honour and pride.

On this day in 1971, after a heroic struggle, the Bengali nation emerged victorious, inscribing Bangladesh on the world map as an independent and sovereign state. With that triumph, the true spirit of the War of Liberation received its rightful recognition.

Every year, the nation commemorates the day with joy, enthusiasm and reverence, paying tribute to the sacrifices that made freedom possible.

The journey began on the night of March 25, 1971, when Pakistani occupation forces launched a brutal genocide against unarmed, sleeping civilians, deploying tanks and heavy artillery. That night ignited the resistance movement and set the Liberation War in motion.

The courageous sons of the soil rushed to the battlefield to confront the enemy. The comforts of life held no meaning for them. Lacking formal military training and modern weapons, they fought with whatever means they could muster, standing resolutely against a far superior force and embracing death in the name of freedom.

For nine long months, people from all walks of life—regardless of religion, caste or language—waged an unequal war against the Pakistani army.

At last, at the cost of three million lives, the honour of 200,000 mothers and sisters, and immense material devastation, independence was achieved. Through their sacrifice, the freedom fighters secured final victory and liberated the nation from the chains of oppression.

In later years, by fostering division through allies and adversaries and pursuing a colonial-style “divide and rule” strategy, the Awami League plundered Bangladesh for over a decade and a half. The people could no longer endure this fragmentation, giving rise once again to resistance against fascism. In continuity with the blood-stained struggle of 1971, a new Bangladesh began its journey through the mass uprising of 2024.

Leaders of various political parties have reflected on this renewed journey, saying that in the aftermath of the 2024 uprising, this year’s Victory Day has arrived with a fresh sense of hope.

Speaking exclusively to BSS, they said that in this transformed Bangladesh, alongside the joy of Victory Day’s historic legacy, there also lingers deep uncertainty, as fascist forces are once again attempting to resurface.

Yet they remain confident that if strong national unity can be forged at this critical moment of democratic transition, the spirit of victory will endure and flourish.

More to follow…