Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has commented that the historic Sepoy-People’s Revolution of November 7, 1975, determined the path of Bangladesh. He stated that the revolution led to the defeat of those who conspired against the country’s independence and sovereignty.
The Prime Minister made these remarks in a message issued on the occasion of the historic National Revolution and Solidarity Day, which is tomorrow. He also wished success for all nationally adopted programs celebrating the day.
In his message, Tarique Rahman said that those who wanted to turn Bangladesh into a subservient state, establish a one-party autocratic rule by seizing the democratic political rights of the people, and undermine the glory and dignity of the army, were defeated through the patriotic Sepoy-People’s Revolution of November 7.
The Prime Minister stated that on November 7, the sepoys and the people united to thwart all conspiracies against Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty. He described the day as a crucial one in the country’s history for identifying friends and foes.
Highlighting the importance of studying Bangladesh’s history, he said, “If one constantly dwells on the past, one eye becomes blind; if one forgets the past, both eyes become blind.” Therefore, while it is not appropriate to be overly immersed in historical study, failing to learn from history in building the future is also a historical mistake.
Tarique Rahman further stated that history bears witness that the defeated evil forces of November 7, 1975, later united under the name of a “Grand Alliance” and turned the country into a subservient state. He alleged that the glory and dignity of the army were undermined through the planned massacre of soldiers at BDR Pilkhana. Additionally, fascist rule was established in the country by depriving the people of their voting and democratic political rights.
He said that after more than a decade and a half, the country has been liberated from fascism through the sacrifices of thousands of martyrs and the bloody mass uprising of brave students and the public.
The Prime Minister stated that the war of 1971 was for achieving independence, while 2024 was for protecting the independence of the country and its people. Just as people from all walks of life took to the streets in 2024, in 1975 too, the sepoys and the people united to resist conspiracies against independence and sovereignty.
Tarique Rahman emphasized that the main pledge for this November 7 should be to ensure that no one can ever again usurp the country’s independence, sovereignty, and the rights of its people. He stressed the importance of national unity to fulfill this pledge.
The Prime Minister said that to uphold national unity in Bangladesh’s socio-economic, geographical, and political realities, the spirit of the November 7 Sepoy-People’s Revolution must be embraced. The aspirations of the 1971 War of Independence, the November 7, 1975, Revolution, the 1990 anti-autocracy movement, and the 2024 mass uprising were all the same—to establish the democratic political rights of the people in independent Bangladesh and to form a self-reliant and secure welfare state.
In the concluding part of his message, the Prime Minister stated that on the historic day of the November 7, 1975, Sepoy-People’s Revolution, aimed at thwarting conspiracies against Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty and protecting the democratic rights of the people, the patriotic and democracy-loving populace should proclaim: “Not Delhi, not Pindi, not any other country, but Bangladesh first.”
The Prime Minister expressed hope that the revolutionary spirit of November 7 would serve as inspiration and a guiding principle in building Bangladesh’s future.
