The Embassy of Bangladesh, Tokyo observed the dreadful 25th March, the ‘Genocide Day’ today with befitting manner. In a solemn way the Mission commemorated the most brutal killing that took place in 1971 in Bangladesh perpetrated on the hapless Bengalis throughout the country by Pakistani military and their collaborators. The program started with observance of 01 (one) minute silence in memory of all martyrs which was followed by offering special prayer for the salvation of the souls of the 3 million known and unknown martyrs who sacrificed their lives on 25th March and during the nine-months of Liberation War of 1971. Prayer was also offered for Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members. The message issued by Hon’ble President and Hon’ble Prime Minister on Genocide Day were read out by Embassy officials.
In his remarks of H.E. Mr. Shahabuddin Ahmed, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Japan paid homage to the heroes who embraced martyrdom in the dark and deadly night of 25th March 1971 when Pakistani occupation forces carried out cowardly attack to the sleeping unarmed Bengalese. The Ambassador said, the main purpose of the Pakistani military’s “Operation Searchlight” was to unleash a genocide to kill prominent leaders of Bangladesh Awami League, students and renowned intellectuals living in the Dhaka and other major cities of then East Pakistan with an aim to crush the independence movement under the leadership of Bangabandhu and establish their control over the province. Bangabandhu declared independence and called upon the countrymen to fight the occupation force till we attain victory. Ambassador Shahabuddin respectfully recalled the Greatest Bengalee of All Times, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and all his family members including Bangamata Fazilatun Nessa Mujib, who were brutally assassinated on August 15, 1975. He also paid due respect to the four National Leaders, all the martyred freedom fighters, the war wounded freedom fighters, the two lakh mothers and sisters who lost their dignity though which we achieved victory on 16 December 1971.
A discussion on the significance of the day was held following the address of H.E. the Ambassador. In this phase, embassy officials took part in a discussion. The speakers remembered with deep reverence all the martyrs who were killed in the tragic night of 25 March 1971. They also recalled with profound respect the architect of the independence of Bangladesh, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman his role and intrinsic contribution that led to independent Bangladesh after nine-months of bloody war. The speakers said, people from all walks life including students, teachers, intellectuals, members of different services especially from police and the EPR were killed in the massacre happened on the black night of 25th March 1971. Bangladesh Parliament enacted the decision to observe 25 March as “Genocide Day” in 2017 and now all over the world our Missions and expatriates are observing this day. The speakers call upon the conscious citizen of the world to recognize the genocide and denounce genocide in strongest terms.
As the last element of the program, a documentary was screened on the Genocide Day.
