THE demand for April 10 to be recognised and observed as republic day merits a serious government consideration. Almost all political parties in the opposition, many civic groups, historians and intellectuals have on different occasions urged the government to recognise, declare and officially observe April 10 as republic day to commemorate the commencement of Bangladesh鈥檚 journey as a republic. April 10 is a significant day as the country鈥檚 proclamation of independence was adopted and an interim constitution for the independence movement was established this day in 1971 to run the country in the spirit of democracy and the liberation war. On April 17, the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD once again placed the demand. The party also demanded the formulation of basic principles of state management in the light of ideals of the proclamation of independence. The proclamation is the constitutional basis of the People鈥檚 Republic of Bangladesh and the birth-time promises of Bangladesh. Both historians and politicians emphasise that the observance of the republic day is necessary for national history to be placed in its proper perspective.
The republic day should also be celebrations of sovereignty and history. The day reminds people of their power and responsibility. The recognition and observance of April 10 as republic day, therefore, appears to be a necessary step in the collective understanding of Bangladesh鈥檚 history. April 10 is a day that warrants a revisit of the history of a people鈥檚 struggle and sacrifices that culminated in the war of liberation, the most glorious moment for the people of Bangladesh. The day can also be a day of introspection and soul-searching the government, people at large and political parties. It can also be an occasion to revisit Bangladesh鈥檚 birth-time promises and measuring whether the country has fulfilled the promises. The proclamation of independence of April 10, 1971, which was disseminated a week later with the inauguration of a provincial government, is a document that delineates people鈥檚 aspirations for a sovereign country and the path to be taken by the new republic. The proclamation brilliantly speaks of noble goals 鈥� equality, human dignity and social justice 鈥� to be pursued by the new republic. Fifty-three years after independence, when the country appears to have deviated from its birth-time promises and has experienced a serious democratic backslide, a declining human rights situation and growing inequality, the need for a revisit can hardly be overstated.
The government should, therefore, seriously consider recognising and declaring April 10 as republic day. The political parties, especially the ruling party, must also make a course correction, commit to the ideals delineated in the proclamation of independence and ensure equality, human dignity and social justice.