The 51st death anniversary of Maoist leader Comrade Siraj Sikder was observed yesterday.
National Martyrs’ Day was celebrated on the day with various programmes organised by Shaheed Biplobi O Deshpremik Smriti Sangsad in memory of all martyrs, including Comrade Ghani Uzzaman Tara, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury, Mizanur Rahman Tutul, Ershad Ali, Taher Azmi and Rabeya Akter Bely.
The day’s programmes began by placing wreaths at Siraj Sikder’s grave at Mohammadpur, led by Smriti Sangsad President Hasan Fakri. Activists later held a rally and paid tributes to Siraj Sikder.
As part of the programme, they also brought out a red-flag procession at 3:00 pm from in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh and marched to the National Press Club. At 3:30 pm, a discussion meeting was held at Bangladesh Shishu Kallyan Parishad auditorium with Hasan Fakri in the chair.
Among those who addressed the meeting were Prof Dr Harunur Rashid, member secretary of Democratic Rights Committee, Kanon Chakraborty of Naya Ganatantrik Ganamorcha, B D Rahmanullah, vice-president of Smriti Sangsad, General Secretary Tamiz Uddin, Badol Shah Alom, editor of Khanon.
Speakers described Siraj Sikder and other Maoist revolutionaries as the country’s finest sons. They said the martyrs had shown a revolutionary path aimed at establishing people’s power under the leadership of the working class, and called on people to follow that path.
