Victory Day: Why 16th December Observed As A Significance Day in Bangladesh

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On December 16, 1971, the Bengali nation broke free from domination and tasted the flavor of independence for the first time. Breaking free from 24 years of oppression, a new dawn unfolded for the fate of the nation.

A resounding voice seemed to spread a new message, “Joy Bangla, Victory to Bengal, in the eastern horizon, the sun has risen, blood is red, blood is red, blood is red.” In the joyous celebration of liberation, a new enthusiasm infused life into the nation, carrying the spirit of freedom.

The cultural, socio-economic, and developmental aspects of the ancient Bengali civilization come together, and the bravery of the Bengali people emerges stronger than ever. The first fire was lit in the struggle for language rights in 1952, and from there, the fight to break the shackles of oppression continued.

The blood shed in the language movement marked the beginning of the Bengali struggle for existence. Srijonshil Biroshotha, Bangladesh of Nazrul, Life’s Beautiful Bengal of Jibanananda, and the last echo of the muse in the form of Ruposhi Bangla—all lead to Bangladesh, my Bangladesh. It’s as if the Bengali searches and finds the essence of its own existence.

The cultural and socio-economic life of the original Bengali and the final stage of development come together, igniting the courage and valor of the Bengalis once again.

The first spark was lit on February 21, 1952, in the language movement, and the resilient spirit of the Bengali people gained momentum. The seeds of Bangladesh’s struggle for independence were sown during the language movement of 1952, where the Bengali people fiercely protested against the imposition of Urdu.

Over the next two decades, political and economic disparities between West and East Pakistan escalated, leading to widespread discontent among the Bengali population. From the defeat in Plassey to the rebirth of Siraj-ud-Daula, who later emerged as Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the struggle, the flame of resistance against the oppressors continued.

The fire that ignited in ’52 in the capital city of Dhaka seemed to gradually spread across the entire country. The fire that had burned in my heart in ’52 now spreads everywhere, everywhere, everywhere in every Bengali.

Counting, seventy-one, and finally, seventy-one Bengali nation sits down for reconciliation. Even the Pakistanis sit down for reconciliation in the calculations of accounts and debts. They, too, realize the loss in numbers, how the Bengali nation has transcended the form of subjugation over the ages.

To them, this adornment is the best reward for the Bengali. The sound of the ticking clock announces the time has come for reconciliation and settlement in accounting.

Finally, a deep black thread emerges from the abyss, wielding the powerful weapon of liberation. On March 7, the vast sea of people from ’71 rises with the poet of the era, the prophet of the epic, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, declaring, “This time’s struggle is our liberation struggle, this time’s struggle is the struggle for independence.”

With the pledge to give more blood when he had already given his blood, he vows to liberate the country, Insha’Allah. The air carries the scent of corpses, and the sky is shrouded in smoke and gunpowder. It’s as if it’s a ghost town. In the sky, vultures circle overhead, while below, scattered people lament. Oh, Bangladesh. One and the same, Bangladesh. It’s like a burning crematorium. But precisely at the horizon, the door to hope will open one day.

In the end, the Bengali prepares for the final battle. The Bengali understands the importance of remaining steadfast in settlement and negotiation. The Bengali people, undeterred by the atrocities, took up arms to defend their right to self-determination.

The Mukti Bahini, comprising freedom fighters and civilians, engaged in a heroic struggle against the well-equipped Pakistani military. Even the Pakistanis are not sitting anymore. The entire nation becomes silent, aiming to keep the Bengali adorned. The sound of the ticking clock signals the time has come for the final settlement in accounting.

Finally, a deep black eclipse emerges from the dark, symbolizing the end of the nine-month nightmare, and a new dawn breaks in the life of the Bengali nation. On December 16, along with the sunrise, it becomes evident that victory in the liberation war is inevitable.

Through this, the Bengali nation achieves the long-desired independence of a thousand years. On this day, the Bengali nation gains control over its destiny. The 30 million martyrs’ blood and the sacrifice of 200,000 violated mothers and sisters exchanged for the exuberance of freedom in the life of the Bengali.