When is Bangladesh Victory Day?
The holiday is always celebrated on December 16th. Known as 'Bijôy Dibôs' in Bengali, this holiday commemorates the victory of the Allied forces High Command over the Pakistani forces in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.
History of Bangladesh Victory Day
In 1947, India was partitioned by the British, creating the 'Dominion of Pakistan', which was two separate regions to the north-west and northeast of India. The new dominion was governed from West Pakistan, which led to frictions between the two regions.
In the 1970 general elections, the Bangla-based Awami League won an overall majority, but the West Pakistani regime was reluctant to hand over power.
On March 25th 1971, Pakistani troops were used to quell the growing unrest. This marked the start of the War of Independence, also known as the War of Liberation.
During the War of Liberation, Mukti Bahini, a guerrilla resistance movement consisting of the Bangladeshi military, paramilitary forces and civilians was created.
In November 1971, India entered the war, supporting East Pakistan. This led to victory for East Pakistan on December 16th 1971 with the Pakistan army's surrender to the Mukti Bahini at the Race Course Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan) in Dhaka.
How is Bangladesh Victory Day celebrated?
Commemorations to mark the day begins with a 31 gun salute at the National Parade Ground at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
Over three million people died in the nine-month conflict and the President Prime Minister will pay tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Mausoleum at Savar at sunrise.
Official events will also happen at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhaka. Smaller commemorative events typically occur in major cities and district headquarters throughout the country.
The national flag will be flown from government, semi-government and private offices across the country.
Important buildings and establishments will be lit up at night. Important roads will be decorated with miniature national flags and bunting.
The state-owned and private televisions and radios air month-long special programmes highlighting the Liberation War.
Special prayers will be offered in mosques and other places of worship, seeking the salvation of the souls of martyrs of the Liberation War and peace, progress and prosperity of the country.
Improved diets will be served in jails, hospitals, orphanages and vagrant homes across the country.
Vijay Diwas
This day and event are also commemorated across India as Vijay Diwas to honour Indian and Bangladeshi martyrs who laid down their lives to liberate Bangladesh and in honour of the Indian contribution and lives lost.
