Bangladesh observes Victory Day amid escalating political crisis

DHAKA, Bangladesh

Amid an escalating political crisis, Bangladesh on Saturday marked its Victory Day, with thousands thronging the National Memorial in Saver, outskirt of the capital Dhaka.

In 1971, Bangladesh got victory from then West Pakistan and emerged as an independent nation after a nine-month war.

Bangladesh was the eastern wing of Pakistan which gained independence from British-ruled India in 1947. On Dec. 16, 1971, a total of 93,000 Pakistani troops surrendered to Bangladesh and India allied forces, history’s biggest surrender.

In the morning, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tribute to the martyrs of liberation war at the National Memorial.

The head of the state in a message to the nation greeted the countrymen on the 53 Victory Day and reiterated its foreign policy of "friendship to all, malice towards none."

The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) member also joined the event seemingly in free march after the Oct. 28 political turmoil.

Bangladesh has plunged into political instability ahead of the national election on Jan. 7.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Saturday said that the government does not ask anyone not to express the joy of victory day but the opposition party must refrain from doing or saying anything that obstruct and undermine the election.

The opposition BNP that boycotted the election termed the government move of not allowing any criticism of arranging the “non-participatory” election as an undemocratic and anti-victory day move.