Chief Adviser (CA) Professor Muhammad Yunus on Saturday paid profound tribute to the martyred intellectuals of 1971 on the occasion of Martyred Intellectuals Day, to be observed on Sunday.

In a message issued on the eve of the day, the Chief Adviser said Martyred Intellectuals Day is one of deep sorrow and shame in the history of Bangladesh.

He recalled that in the final days of the Liberation War, when defeat was imminent, the Pakistani occupation forces and their local collaborators brutally murdered the country’s leading intellectuals in a calculated attempt to cripple the nation.

“On this tragic occasion, I offer my deepest respect to the martyred intellectuals and all the brave martyrs of the Liberation War and pray for the eternal peace of their departed souls,” he said.

Prof Yunus described the martyred intellectuals as frontline warriors in the ideological struggle against the oppressive Pakistani regime.

He said that through their intellect, wisdom, cultural engagement and powerful writings, they played a crucial role in uniting the nation and mobilising public opinion in favour of the Liberation War.

Their intellectual and strategic guidance to the wartime government, he added, made invaluable contributions to leading the country to victory.

The Chief Adviser said that on the eve of Bangladesh’s victory, the occupation forces and their collaborators abducted and brutally killed patriotic academics, journalists, writers, physicians, scientists, lawyers, artists, engineers, philosophers, politicians and other enlightened citizens.

“This premeditated and barbaric massacre was aimed at rendering Bangladesh intellectually barren, but the anti-liberation forces ultimately failed,” he said.

Prof Yunus noted that the martyred intellectuals had dreamed of a democratic, developed and prosperous Bangladesh. He said the current interim government, formed through the July uprising, has undertaken the task of building a just and equitable new Bangladesh with the support of the people.

“I firmly believe that through our collective efforts, we will be able to fulfil the lifelong aspirations of our martyred intellectuals,” he said.

Calling for renewed unity on Martyred Intellectuals Day, the Chief Adviser urged the nation to work together to build a developed and prosperous Bangladesh for future generations.