Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today described November 7 as a historic day of national unity and a defining moment in Bangladesh's history, saying the united uprising of patriotic soldiers and people in 1975 had thwarted conspiracies against the country's independence and sovereignty.

“November 7 is the Magna Carta of independent Bangladesh's history,” he said while addressing a programme marking the National Revolution and Solidarity Day at the Army Stadium in the capital.

The Prime Minister said November 7 was a significant and glorious day for patriotic, freedom-loving and democracy-minded people.

He began his address by congratulating the young participants who presented an impressive historical display on November 7, and extended greetings to all on the occasion of Nazrul Year.

Recalling the events of 1975, Tarique Rahman said conspiracies against Bangladesh had reached their peak during the first week of November that year. As part of those conspiracies, then Army Chief Lieutenant General Ziaur Rahman was placed under house arrest along with his family in the early hours of November 3.

He said the united efforts of soldiers and civilians had thwarted the conspiracy against the country's interests while the proclaimer of independence was being held captive.

“That is why November 7 remains a beacon of national unity for patriotic, nationalist and democracy-loving people,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the forces that wanted to turn Bangladesh into a subservient state, deprive people of their democratic and political rights, establish one-party rule and undermine the honour and prestige of the armed forces had been defeated through the historic uprising of patriotic soldiers and civilians on November 7, 1975.

However, he said, the defeated forces had never abandoned their conspiracies.

Through subsequent political manoeuvres, they united under the banner of the Grand Alliance and once again turned the country into a subservient state, he said.

He also alleged that the planned massacre of army personnel at the BDR Pilkhana headquarters undermined the honour and dignity of the Bangladesh Army, while democratic and political rights were taken away and a fascist regime was established.

Tarique Rahman said the defeated forces of November 7 were defeated once again in 2024 through the bloody mass uprising led by brave students and people, at the cost of thousands of lives.

He said the country had been freed from fascism, paying tribute to those who were killed or injured during the prolonged anti-fascist movement and the 2024 mass uprising.

Drawing a parallel between 1975 and 2024, the Prime Minister said the Liberation War of 1971 was fought to achieve independence, while the movement in 2024 was aimed at safeguarding the freedom of the country and its people.

He said just as people from all walks of life had taken to the streets on August 5, 2024, soldiers and civilians had united on November 7, 1975, to resist conspiracies against the country's independence and sovereignty.

With the passage of time, it had become evident that November 7, 1975, was the day that determined the future course of Bangladesh, he said.

“Whenever Bangladesh has deviated from the path set by November 7, the sovereignty of the country and its people has come under threat,” he added.

The Prime Minister said the identity of being Bangladeshi had united people irrespective of party affiliation, religion, caste or ethnicity.

“Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and members of ethnic minority communities—all those born as citizens of Bangladesh share one proud identity: We are Bangladeshis,” he said.

He added that the foundation of this collective identity had also been laid on November 7.

“As long as Bangladesh exists, the importance and significance of the united revolution of soldiers and civilians on November 7 will remain relevant,” he said, describing patriotic soldiers and civilians as the heroes of the day.

Paying tribute to Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, the Prime Minister said he had stood firmly for the country's sovereignty on November 7, just as he had proclaimed independence in 1971 and fought on the battlefield for the country's freedom.

Standing on the stage at the November 7 commemorative programme, Tarique Rahman paid his profound respects to the proclaimer of Bangladesh's independence.

He said a nation's history was not merely a recollection of the past; rather, an authentic account of history shaped its identity, self-respect and inspiration for building a prosperous future.

Referring to the participation of thousands of schoolchildren and young people in the historical presentation at the stadium, he said their objective and informed portrayal of the country's historical context was particularly significant.

He expressed confidence that Bangladesh would not lose its way if the history-conscious younger generation remained inspired by the spirit of November 7 and united.

The Prime Minister said national unity could not be strengthened in a country where young people were not inspired by nationalism.

Referring to the Liberation War of 1971, the November 7 revolution of 1975, the anti-autocracy movement of 1990 and the anti-fascist mass uprising of 2024, he said the younger generation had consistently demonstrated that it would never compromise on the interests of Bangladesh.

“Bangladesh comes first,” he said.

Tarique Rahman called for a renewed commitment on November 7 to ensure that no one could again deprive the people of their rights or turn the country into a subservient state.

Achieving this goal required national unity, he said, adding that the spirit of the united revolution of soldiers and civilians on November 7 must be embraced to preserve that unity in Bangladesh's socio-economic, geographical and political realities.

He said achieving independence was a matter of historic pride, but every generation had a responsibility to uphold that achievement and make independence meaningful.

The younger generation, in particular, had a responsibility to uphold the ideals of independence and work towards building a safe, prosperous, humane and dignified Bangladesh, he said.

As guardians, the older generation had a responsibility to ensure an appropriate environment for young people to realise their full potential, he added.

The Prime Minister said the present government was firmly committed to building a prosperous future for the country.

Concluding his address, he said history had shown that whenever conspiracies were hatched against Bangladesh or democracy came under threat, the country had risen again with the spirit of the united revolution of November 7.

He called upon patriotic and democracy-loving people to reaffirm their resolve with the slogan: “Neither Delhi nor Pindi, nor any other country — Bangladesh comes first.”