Shaheed Nur Hossain Day observed
Various political and socio-cultural organisations, including Bangladesh Awami League, today observed Shaheed Nur Hossain Day recalling his outstanding contributions to anti-autocracy movement and restoration of democracy in the country.
Upon this day in 1987, Awami Jubo League (AJL) leader Nur Hossain, who imprinted his bare chest and back with the slogans “Free democracy” and “Down with autocracy”, embraced martyrdom in police firing during an anti-autocracy demonstration in city’s Zero Point, now referred to as Shaheed Nur Hossain Square.
AJL leader Nurul Huda Babul and farmers’ leader Aminul Huda Tito of Bajitpur in Kishoreganj district were also killed in police firing during the mass movement for restoration of democracy against autocratic rule.
The martyrdom of Nur Hossain and others during the mass upsurge lately 90s expedited the anti-autocracy movement. When confronted with the movement, the then autocratic ruler had to step down on December 6 in 1990. Since that time, the day has been observed each year as the Shaheed Nur Hossain Day.
Marking the day, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on Monday.
“Today November 10 may be the Shaheed Nur Hossain Day. This is an essential day in the annals of restoring democracy in Bangladesh,” the President said in his message.
Upon this day in 1987, Nur Hossain sacrificed his life while waging movement in metropolis streets against autocratic rule, he said, adding, “Today, I recall all of the martyrs with respect, including Nur Hossain, who embraced martyrdom for the country’s democracy”.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, recalled all martyrs, who embraced martyrdom for the country’s democracy in 1987, with due respect on the Shaheed Nur Hossain Day.
Many unidentified people, including Babul and Fattah, sacrificed their lives in the movement of restoring democracy, she said.
Finally the democracy was restored on December 6 in 1990 with fall of the autocratic ruler in the next of the continued movements and struggles, the Prime Minister said, adding subsequently the persons got back their rights to vote and food.
Sheikh Hasina prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls of most martyrs, including Nur Hossain, and convoyed deep sympathy to the bereaved families.
Marking the day, Bangladesh Awami League, led by its General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, paid homage to Nur Hossain by putting a wreath at the Shaheed Nur Hossain Square each morning and offered a particular prayers seeking eternal peace of the departed soul of the slain AJL leader.
AL Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Organizing Secretary Mirza Azam, Relief and Social Welfare Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, Labour Affairs Secretary Habibur Rahman Siraj, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, Science and Technology Affairs Secretary Engineer Abdus Sabur were present on the occasion, among others.
BNP, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jashod), Bashod, Workers Party, Gono Forum, Biplobi Workers Party and Bam Gonotantrik Jote also paid tributes to Nur Hossain.
Dhaka city south and north units of AL, Awami Jubo League, Swechchhasebak League, Jatiya Sramik League, Bangladesh Chhatra League, Krishak League, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote and various other political, socio-cultural organizations also paid homage by inserting wreaths at the square.
