Page 29 - Memory of the World filled with Color_revised Edition_online

54 Public speeches are classical and powerful tools of communication. From ancient times 55
to the modern-day, many figures expressed their thoughts and called for action through

the art of speech. Not only do great speeches capture a great crowd, but it also inaugurates
social movement, which often leads to historical changes. Bangladesh's modern history
also began with a speech by their founding father, with this moment now widely known
as the 'Historic 7th March Speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman 1971'.

From 1948, Bengali people long struggled for democratic rights against Pakistani rulers
spearheaded by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who led independence movements and
struggled lifelong to achieve Bengali self-determination peacefully. After years of endeavors,
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the unpredictable but overwhelming victory of the 1970 national election finally enabled
Sheikh Mujib to unite the whole nation. Regretfully,
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For the first time in Pakistan’s 23 year history, Sheikh
Mujib’s party won 165 seats out of 167 in parliament from as Pakistani military leaders refused to transfer
East Pakistan and became Pakistan’s majority party.
power to the new parliament on 1 March,
it sparked spontaneous protest all over the province.

All eyes of the world turned to Mujib as he declared to call for action in Dhaka's Ramna

Race Course. Here, Mujib made the celebrated 'Historic 7th March Speech' with his famous
line, "This time of struggle is for our freedom, the struggle for our independence." This
powerful speech has highlighted many aspects but most respectfully conveyed Bengalis'
strong will for self-determination, non-violent movements, and the embracement of all
groups within the Bengali society. Mujib's continuous call for 'freedom' and 'independence'
effectively portrayed their fight for self-determination and well sympathized with the public,

inspiring their mobilization for independence movements. Also, the inclusion of Bengali
ethnolinguistic national identity by embracing members of all religions, including Hindus
and Muslims, brought non-Bengalis into the plural society. Sowing seeds of independence
and embracement led to reaping an independent state of Bangladesh.

Today, Mujib's speech lasts as a universal record delivering strength and a spirit of cohesion.
In a world where many societies are getting torn apart by various divisions, the message of
a harmonious, multi-religious society holds universal significance. The speech is nationally
recognized as the most significant event for establishing Bangladesh and is educated
through the national curriculum. The recorded speech and its audiovisual version are
known by every Bangladesh student, with the image of Sheikh Mujib delivering the speech

lasting as an iconic national symbol. The inscription of the speech as Memory of the World
has given new impetus to various educational, artistic, research, and projection acts
highlighting its content.

The Historic 7th March Speech of

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman