Dhaka, Nov 07 (V7N)- National Revolution and Solidarity Day is being observed across Bangladesh on Saturday, marking the events of November 7, 1975, when an uprising involving soldiers and civilians changed the country's political and military landscape and brought Major General Ziaur Rahman to the centre of national politics.
The events unfolded amid political instability following the assassination of then President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975, and the killing of four national leaders inside Dhaka Central Jail on November 3.
On November 3, Brigadier General Khaled Mosharraf led a military coup that resulted in Army Chief Major General Ziaur Rahman being placed under house arrest at Dhaka Cantonment. Khaled subsequently assumed the position of army chief, while political changes led to Chief Justice Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem becoming president on November 6.
Dissatisfaction among sections of the armed forces grew over Ziaur Rahman's confinement and the changing military leadership. On November 7, soldiers staged a counter-coup, joined by civilians in the streets. Ziaur Rahman was released from confinement and emerged as a central figure in the country's subsequent political developments.
Khaled Mosharraf and several of his associates were killed during the counter-coup. The events became a major turning point in Bangladesh's political history and are commemorated annually as National Revolution and Solidarity Day.
BNP's seven-day programme
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced a seven-day programme from November 5 to 11 to mark the occasion.
As part of the programme, Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman paid tribute to the graves of party founder Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at Zia Udyan in the capital on Saturday morning. He was accompanied by senior party leaders, and prayers were offered for the departed leaders.
The BNP also organised a procession in Dhaka, which began in front of the party's central office in Nayapaltan at around 3:15 pm, with Tarique Rahman leading it.
The procession was initially scheduled to pass through Kakrail, the Hotel InterContinental intersection, Banglamotor and Farmgate before ending at Manik Mia Avenue. However, the route was later changed, and the procession was set to conclude at Zia Udyan.
The party is also holding rallies and other programmes in district and metropolitan areas across the country to mark the day.
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