On the brink of victory in 1971, as the masses fought for freedom, Pakistanis stained December 14 with the blood of the nation’s leading educators, journalists, doctors, and writers. Since then, the day has been marked as Intellectuals’ Day, a reminder that true intellectuals, regardless of their beliefs, fearlessly speak and write the truth against injustice.

In the annals of the Bangladesh liberation war, let alone in a comprehensive history of the nation, a proper place of the intellectuals largely remains a desideratum.

The July Uprising stands as a watershed moment in Bangladesh’s history, marking the beginning of a transformative period. This mass movement not only contributed to the nation’s democratic aspirations but also brought unprecedented challenges, including widespread violence and casualties.

The July uprising in Bangladesh was a pivotal moment of bravery, sacrifice, and collective rage. The streets boiled with defiance as people, desperate for change, faced bullets and batons.

The July Uprising has put forth an interesting revelation: the role of students, backed by teachers, and educational institutions as a whole, in shaping a country’s political future.

Amid unprecedented levels of suppression, legal hurdles, and personal risks, journalists in Bangladesh stood firm against the fascist government of Sheikh Hasina during the July uprising.

In July, the antidiscrimination movement gained renewed momentum as courageous female students, standing side by side with their male peers, took to the streets in protest, enduring violent attacks while demanding their rights.

Two significant political events occurred in Bangladesh society between 1947 and 2024: the Bangladesh Liberation Movement of 1971 and the Anti-discrimination Students Movement of 2024.

In the waning days of 1971, the Pakistani army and their collaborators embarked on a chilling campaign to systematically eliminate the nation’s brightest minds – academics, doctors, journalists, artists – those who had dared to dream of an independent Bangladesh and articulate its promise.

This year, December 16 arrives with a distinctly different ambiance. It holds greater significance than in previous years, when the day was marked with traditional observances.

Fifty-three years ago, Bangladesh won its independence after a bloody nine-month war with Pakistan. December 16, 1971, was a day of unparalleled euphoria.