Princh Mondal Olif, Bagerhat Correspondent:

On Sunday, December 14, 2025, Martyred Intellectuals Day was observed in Chitalmari upazila of Bagerhat with due respect through tribute-paying and candlelight vigil programs.

The program was organized by the Chitalmari Upazila Administration. Floral wreaths were placed at the Shaheed Minar located beside the central market of the upazila in remembrance of the martyred intellectuals. Later, a one-minute silence was observed seeking eternal peace for their departed souls, followed by a candlelight vigil in the evening to pay deep homage.

Among those present were Chitalmari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Sazzad Hossain, Officer-in-Charge of Chitalmari Police Station Md. Nazrul Islam, Upazila Engineer Md. Saddam Hossain, Upazila Women Affairs Officer Md. Hafizur Rahman, Member Secretary of the Upazila Muktijoddha Sangsad Md. Atiar Gazi, Medical Officer of the Upazila Health Complex Dr. M. R. Faraji, and Upazila Sanitary Inspector Riyaz Hasan.

Also present were former Upazila Women Vice Chairman, Bagerhat District BNP leader and Central Committee Member of BNP Women’s Wing Runa Gazi, Upazila BNP Organizing Secretary Advocate Fazlul Haque, Member of the Upazila Anti-Corruption Committee Kamruzzaman Khan Piklu, President of the Upazila Secondary Teachers’ Association Golam Faruk Bulu, President of Chitalmari Upazila Press Club Ekramul Haque Munshi, Acting General Secretary Princh Mondal Olif, Rahmat Sheikh of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, along with leaders of various political, social and professional organizations, freedom fighters, journalists and local residents.

It is noteworthy that on December 14, 1971, just days before the final victory of the Great War of Liberation, the Pakistani occupation forces and their collaborators—Al-Badr and Al-Shams—systematically abducted and brutally killed renowned teachers, physicians, journalists, writers and other intellectuals of the country. This heinous act was carried out to cripple the newly emerging nation by depriving it of its intellectual strength.

The martyred intellectuals are the nation’s finest sons. Their supreme sacrifice has strengthened the foundation of independent Bangladesh. Speakers at the program called upon all to uphold the ideals of the martyred intellectuals and work together in unity for national development.