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DHAKA, Jan 23, 2025 (BSS) - President Mohammed Shahabuddin has called upon all to work unitedly to uphold country’s Independence and democracy achieved through a long struggle.

In a message on the eve of the historic Mass Upsurge Day, he said the 1969 Mass Upsurge as an unforgettable chapter in the history of Bangladesh's independence movement and democratic process.

The President said, “On January 24, 1969, the politicians-students-teachers-people broke the curfew to press home their demand for ending the repression and oppression carried out by the then ruling group and overthrowing the Pakistani military regime.”

In this connection, he mentioned that Matiur Rahman, a class IX student of the Nabakumar Institution in Dhaka along with more brave children of the soil had to face martyrdom in a police firing during anti-government demonstration.

Paying profound respect to the memory of the independence movement martyrs on this day in 1969, he prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls of all the martyrs, including Shaheed Matiur.

The President said the blood of Matiur and other martyrs during the popular mass upsurge of 1969 did not go in vain. “We achieved freedom and democratic rights following the path of popular mass upsurge,” he added.

He also said the popular mass upsurge of the 1969 has inspired the people in all democratic movements and struggles of the country, including the popular July-August students-people led mass uprising in 2024.