National Revolution and Solidarity Day today: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to lead Dhaka procession on foot

Today is Saturday, November 7, the historic National Revolution and Solidarity Day. On this day in 1975, the joint revolution of soldiers and the people foiled all conspiracies against national independence and sovereignty, setting a unique example of patriotism.

Soldiers and the people freed the then Major General Ziaur Rahman (later President of Bangladesh) from captivity and placed him in state power. Overcoming the critical situation, he introduced multi-party democracy in the country and began a new politics of development and production. Through the soldiers-people's revolution, the country returned from an unstable situation to an orderly one.

On the occasion of National Revolution and Solidarity Day, President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP Chairperson and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, and Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman have given separate messages. The BNP is observing a seven-day programme to mark the day with due dignity.

To mark the day, the BNP will hold a colourful procession in the capital today, Saturday. Prime Minister and party Chairperson Tarique Rahman will take part on foot and lead it. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the BNP's central procession in the morning.

At the central office on Friday, the party's acting secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said rallies marking National Revolution and Solidarity Day will be held in most districts and metropolitan cities across the country on November 7. In Dhaka, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the rally in front of the central office at Nayapaltan. The procession will begin immediately after the Prime Minister's inaugural speech in the morning.

The BNP acting secretary general said the rally will start from Nayapaltan and pass in front of the Chief Justice's residence at Kakrail, through the Hotel Intercontinental crossing, Bangla Motor and Farmgate, and end at Manik Mia Avenue.

Before the rally, at 8:30 in the morning, the Prime Minister and senior party leaders will pay tribute by placing wreaths at the graves of martyred President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

Apart from the central programme in Dhaka, the party's associate organisations will hold various programmes, including discussion meetings and photo exhibitions, on the occasion of National Revolution and Solidarity Day, Rizvi said. The BNP's Dhaka north and south units and associate organisations are working to make Saturday's procession a success, the acting secretary general added.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in the national parliament Dr Shafiqur Rahman has called for observing November 7 as National Revolution and Solidarity Day with due dignity. In a statement, the Jamaat Ameer said November 7 is a significant day in Bangladesh's national history.

The Jamaat Ameer said that on this day in 1975, patriotic soldiers and ordinary people came together onto the streets with the resolve to protect the country's independence, sovereignty and national interests. Through their united resistance, a historic chapter of confronting the conspiracies and crises of the time began.

He added that there is no alternative to national unity to resist any conspiracy and mischief against democracy, independence and sovereignty. Learning from past experience, any attempt to push the country back towards fascist rule and autocratic tendencies must be resisted.

The Jamaat Ameer said patriotic students and people, political parties, the government and the armed forces, along with all concerned, must play responsible and united roles to consolidate the country's independence, sovereignty and democratic progress.

On the occasion of National Revolution and Solidarity Day, drivers will be able to use the Dhaka Elevated Expressway without paying toll for six hours today, Saturday. The facility will remain in effect from 6 am to 12 noon. The Bangladesh Bridge Authority shared this information in a press release.