National Revolution and Solidarity Day (Bengali: জাতীয় বিপ্লব ও সংহতি দিবস) is a commemorative and former public holiday celebrated in Bangladesh on November 7 to commemorate the 7 November 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état (Sipahi–Janata Revolution) by regular soldiers of Army and the common masses that showed solidarity with them.[1][2][3]
| National Revolution and Solidarity Day | |
|---|---|
 Soldiers being received by the public in 7 November 1975 | |
| Official name | জাতীয় বিপ্লব ও সংহতি দিবস |
| Observed by | Bangladesh |
| Type | Patriotic |
| Significance | Commemorates the united soldier and public uprising against the Mujibist military coup d'état |
| Observances | Political rallies, wreath-laying, prayers, conferences, photography exhibitions |
| Date | November 7 |
| Next time | November 7, 2025 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| First time | 1976 As national holiday: 1991 |
| Last time | As national holiday: 2006 |
| Related to | 7 November 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état Assassination of Khaled Mosharraf |
In the backdrop of the 15 August coup that resulted in the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, it ended the 3 November coup to remove from power Mujib's replacement President Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad, organised by the pro-Mujib Brig. Gen. Khaled Mosharraf, who was assassinated in the aftermath.[1][4] Meanwhile, the soldiers proceeded to release Maj. Gen. Ziaur Rahman, who was put under house arrest at the inception of the coup by Mosharraf.[4][5] The uprising, though organised by Lt. Col. (retd.) Abu Taher and his clandestine revolutionary socialist group of soldier mutineers, the Biplobi Shainik Sangstha (BSS), to unsuccessfully create a socialist revolution, resulted Zia's ascension to the power.[6]
The day is marked to end the political turmoil and series of coups and counter-coups those occurred after the assassination of Mujibur Rahman, the founding President of Bangladesh, on 15 August 1975.[7][4]
Observance
editBangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP),[8] Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami,[9] Liberal Democratic Party[10] and several other parties commemorate the day and regard the coup a "civil–military uprising".[11] While Taher's party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, also views the day similarly but observes as the "Sepoy-People's Uprising Day".[12] On the contrary, Awami League views it negatively and considers it neither a revolutionary nor a solidarity day, calling it the "Freedom Fighters Killing Day".[13][14]
7 November was a national holiday in Bangladesh during the military government of Lt. Gen. Hussain Muhammad Ershad and prime minister Khaleda Zia's ministries.[15] In November 2007, the military-backed caretaker government of Fakhruddin Ahmed scrapped the holiday.[16]
See also
edit- Revolution Day in other countries
- Biplobi Shainik Sangstha (BSS)
- Military coups in Bangladesh
- Anti-imperialism solidarity day
- National Mourning Day (Bangladesh), another former public holiday in Bangladesh
References
edit- ^ a b Chowdhury, R. (1 November 2019). "Bangladesh: National Revolution and Solidarity Day, its Significance and its Precursor (With inside stories)". South Asia Journal (30). Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir, eds. (2012). "Taher, Colonel Abu". Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
- ^ "Bangladesh Observes National Revolution and Solidarity Day". VoA (in Bengali). 7 November 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ a b c "The shadow of November 7, 1975". The Daily Star. 2009-11-10. Retrieved 2017-09-26.
- ^ "Taher's execution was murder in cold blood". The Daily Star. 2010-11-07. Retrieved 2017-09-26.
- ^ "When Gen Zia betrayed Col Taher". The Daily Observer. Archived from the original on 30 January 2015. Retrieved 2022-12-24.
- ^ ""BNP to hold rally in Dhaka tomorrow marking 7 Nov". The Business Standard. 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Bangladesh Nationalist Party". Banglapedia. Retrieved 2018-01-10.
- ^ "Spirits of 5 August and 7 November intertwined: Golam Parwar". The Business Standard". 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Col Oli: Nov 7 was about liberating Bangladesh from Awami League's clutches". Dhaka Tribune. 7 November 2024.
- ^ "BNP seeks permission from DMP to hold rally Nov 8". The Daily Star. 3 November 2017. Retrieved 2018-01-10.
- ^ "Bangladesh MP seeks the truth about killing of father during 1975 turmoil". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
- ^ "November 7: Let the truth be known". The Daily Star. 7 November 2013. Retrieved 2018-01-10.
- ^ "7th November: Freedom Fighter- Soldier Killing Day". Archived from the original on 2017-09-26. Retrieved 2017-09-26.
- ^ Nwanna, Gladson I. (2004). Americans Living Abroad: What You Should Know While You Are There. Frontline Publishers, Inc. p. 343. ISBN 9781890605117.
- ^ "BNP observes 'Nat'l Revolution and Solidarity Day'". The Independent. Retrieved 2017-09-26.