Hamid Rayhan

Our assurance, faith, and boldness have grown as a result of the speech on March 7. We were able to take pleasure in our well-earned triumph today in part because of it.

They, therefore, connected, laying the foundation for their future reliance on and trust in one another. This is substantially to blame for the bravery displayed by the Bangalees in repelling our adversaries in the fight of 1971. The Bengalis were motivated by the famous speech on March 7th, which gave them the courage to start their nine-month, bloody journey for freedom. Because of the strong uprising that the duped citizens of the former East Pakistan underwent, the oppressive government had to be overthrown. Also, this speech is still cited as an example of bravery and tenacity fifty-two years after our liberation. Since the nation attained independence, it has had an impact on every aspect of our lives.
Bangladeshi history underwent a significant change on March 7, 1971. The speech delivered that day by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to a million people at Race Course Maidan changed the course of our future (now Suhrawardy Udyan). Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered his Suhrawardy Udyan talk on this day in 1965. The speech galvanized and motivated millions of Bangalis to prepare for a war of independence. The stirring speech symbolized a young nation striving to stake its claim to statehood, and it was essential in conveying to our people the message that we would keep fighting for independence. We were not going to receive a democratic transfer of power from the Pakistani military junta. The first meeting of the newly elected assembly, originally scheduled for March 3 but postponed, has already been rescheduled. The political elite of Pakistan would not allow it because the Prime Minister is a Bengali.
“Ebarer sangram amader muktir sangram” is the unqualified message that Bangabandhu sent to those he cherished. This time, our emancipation was the issue. Similar to Winston Churchill’s historical speech, Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, or Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream,” the historic 7th March speech has transcended the limits of location and time through its historical implications and rhetorical appeals. Also, on October 30, 2017, UNESCO designated the historic 7th March address as a World Documentary Heritage, giving it newfound global significance.
The speech given by Bangabandhu on March 7 has received a lot of attention and discussion. The 18-minute speech is frequently referred to as the country’s greatest poem and its declaration of independence. Its importance rivals or surpasses that of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. The spontaneous speech embodied the aspirations, dreams, and hopes of 75 million suffering people. It marked the start of our arduous fight for freedom. We would stop being a colony and resume living normal lives as free individuals in a free nation.
The nation’s founder, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, sowed the seeds of independence among the Bangladeshi people in an angry and revolting speech on March 7th, birthing a new nation in exchange for a sea of blood. Bangabandhu, the poet of politics, roared “Joy Bangla” in front of a sea of people while bearing the burden of the entire country on his shoulders. They were immediately inspired to work together to achieve their common goal of freedom.
On March 1, 1971, the first meeting of the putative Constituent Assembly was abruptly postponed, which resulted in the cancellation of the cricket match between the local team and the visiting MCC at Dhaka Stadium. People in Bengal were shocked by Yahya Khan’s announcement. The youth, particularly the students, were incensed. The entire nation exclaimed in outrage.
In his stirring speech, Bangabandhu described an instance of oppression. By saying, “Despite our majority, we would still listen to any sound ideas from the minority, even if it is a lone voice, I support anything to bolster the restoration of a constitutional government,” he articulates the fundamental idea of democracy. The phrase “the struggle this time is a struggle for freedom, the struggle this time is a struggle for independence” may be the speech’s most significant statement. The word “independence” serves as a leitmotif for “emancipation” in Bangabandhu’s speeches. When he says, “What I want is justice, the rights of the people of this land,” he is succinct and direct.
The fact that Bangabandhu was Bangladesh’s de facto leader was something that both the young and old observed with great satisfaction. There were only 75 million people watching him. He introduced Bangladesh to a nonviolent civil disobedience movement (East Pakistan). Both government and non-government offices received directives. On March 7, he planned to speak to his supporters at the Race Course Maidan. The immediate lifting of martial law, the prompt return of all military personnel to their barracks, the prompt transfer of power to elected officials, and a thorough investigation into the number of casualties sustained during the conflict are the four conditions that must be met before Bangabandhu and the Awami League can attend the National Assembly meeting on March 25. Bangabandhu outlined these conditions in this significant speech.
Following the killing of unarmed protesters at several different protest sites by security forces, our people demanded total independence from Pakistani rule.
The legendary speech of Bangladesh’s Father of the Nation echoed the sincere demand of the majority of Bangladeshis. This speech served as a visual representation of the murders, oppression, and torture carried out by Pakistani occupation forces against Bengalees, with the main objective of highlighting the need for and desire for the emergence of an independent State.
The entire nation eagerly anticipated his speech. What was the great orator going to say? declare your independence and sever your ties with the military government of Pakistan? or engage Yahya Khan in conversation as he approached him? The Pakistanis experienced overwhelming anxiety and fear. They understood how completely East Pakistan disregarded them.
On March 7, 1971, there was nowhere else to go but the Race Course. A crowd of ten lakh people, including faculty and students from Dhaka University, political activists from various parties fighting for independence, farmers from the countryside, and workers from factories, gathered to listen to the undisputed leader of the nation speak. The province had never witnessed a public gathering as large as this one. As he ascended the stairs to the dais, there was total silence. The only speaker that day was him! The voice of thunder gave a brilliant impromptu speech outlining the future of the nation. He provided the language for his people to communicate their aspirations.
During the height of the nation’s struggle for independence, Bangabandhu gave his speech, rallying the entire country in its fight against colonial Pakistani forces and the Bengali Nation, and he urged the Bengalis to remain ready with whatever they had. Following his inspirational speech, preparations for the armed War of Liberation got under way. As a nation that rose from the ashes to play a significant role in the international community of nations, including the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the Non-Aligned Group, and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Bangladesh will always be remembered for the enormous contribution that Bangabandhu made in this regard.
Bangabandhu knew this because he was a skilled organizer and was aware of how brutal the Pakistani military junta was. He urged the populace to get ready for an impending armed conflict in light of this. Strong evidence for this is provided by his well-known speech from March 7.
Under Bangabandhu, things got off to a dark start. Even though our people were being massacred on the streets while yearning for freedom, we were ready to seize power. Just what went wrong? He requested that martial law be quickly removed and that power be swiftly handed over to the people’s elected authorities in order to be eligible for election to the National Assembly. He also provided guidelines for a campaign of civil disobedience. After around 18 minutes, the address came to a close with these final words: “The current war threatens our independence. We are battling this time for our independence. Salutations in Bangla. In essence, Bangladesh has acknowledged its de facto independence.
March 7, 1971, saw the creation of history. Innocent students, instructors, and civilians were killed as a result of Operation Searchlight, which the army carried out when Yahya Khan abandoned Bangabandhu and abruptly cut off communication with him. The Bangladesh Liberation War was scheduled to begin in 18 days. The wartime prime minister Tajuddin Ahmad remarked, “Pakistan lay buried under bodies,” a few days later in Mujibnagar.
The rhetorical reasons stated during the speech’s delivery on March 7 influenced people of all ages, from all socioeconomic classes, and from all walks of life. The establishment of Bangladesh is a wonderful illustration of the historical 7th March speech’s achievement. With his severe manner, unique appeal, and historical stories, Sheikh Mujib gained the respect of the populace. Bangabandhu refers to the citizens of West Pakistan as “brothers” despite all the issues that existed between the former East and West Pakistan. He referred to them as his “children,” and they gave their lives to support him. With these comments, he powerfully touched his audience’s hearts. The words of March 7 must never be forgotten again. It’s time to once again revere and honor the great father. It is important to acknowledge the great contribution made by Bangabandhu. In a furious and repulsive speech delivered on March 7th, the country’s founder, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, planted the seeds of independence among the Bangladeshi people, giving birth to a new nation in exchange for a sea of blood.

Hamid Rayhan, writer of A Line Shadow & Thus Speaks Powerism,
available at www.amazon.com
email: hamidrayhan@gmail.com