Bangladesh is observing Martyred Intellectuals Day today (Sunday), commemorating the nation’s brightest minds who were systematically killed by the Pakistan occupation forces and their local collaborators during the final days of the 1971 Liberation War.

December 14 marks one of the darkest chapters in the country’s history, when renowned academicians, doctors, engineers, journalists, writers, teachers, and artists were abducted from their homes, blindfolded, and taken to undisclosed locations, where they were brutally tortured and murdered. Their bodies were later found dumped in mass graves at Rayerbazar, Mirpur and other killing fields in the capital.

As defeat became inevitable, the Pakistani forces, aided by their local collaborators Al-Badr, Al-Shams and Razakar,carried out the cold-blooded killings in a calculated attempt to wipe out the intellectual backbone of the emerging nation and cripple Bangladesh’s future, UNB reported.

The list of martyred intellectuals includes eminent figures such as Prof Munier Chowdhury, Dr Alim Chowdhury, Prof Muniruzzaman, Dr Fazle Rabbi, Sirajuddin Hossain, Shahidullah Kaiser, Prof GC Dev, JC Guha Thakurta, Prof Santosh Bhattacharya and Mofazzal Haider Chowdhury. Several journalists, including Khandaker Abu Taleb, Nizamuddin Ahmed, SA Mannan (Ladu Bhai), ANM Golam Mustafa, Syed Nazmul Haq and Selina Parvin, were also among those killed.

The interim government has taken extensive programmes to mark the day. Family members of the martyred intellectuals and freedom fighters are paying homage at memorial sites, while leaders and activists of various political, social and cultural organizations are placing wreaths at the Martyred Intellectuals’ Graveyard in Mirpur.

On the eve of the observance, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus issued separate messages, paying tribute to the slain intellectuals and recalling their contributions to the nation.

Special doa and munajat are being offered at mosques, temples and churches across the country. Bangladesh Television and private TV channels are airing special programmes highlighting the significance of the day, while national dailies have published special supplements in remembrance of the martyred intellectuals.