Reason Behind The Killing of Bengali Intellectuals
Since the establishment of the State of Pakistan, the rulers of West Pakistan discriminated the Bengalis (East Pakistanis at that time) from their rights. The discrimination was visible in all disciplines and the attack on the language and culture was direct. As a result, the discontent and anger in the minds of Bengalis turned to political and cultural protests and these movements were led by intellectuals from all parts of the society. They encouraged and seeded the idea of nationalism in the heart of Bengalis through social and cultural activities. As a result of their cultural movement, the people of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) gradually became aware of their rights which turned the movement towards political protests . Hence the intellectuals were the target of the Pakistani rulers since the beginning. As soon as the liberation war of Bangladesh started Pakistan Army started systematic killing of the selected intellectuals. As the war was nearing the end and the victory of Bangladesh was imminent, to cripple the Bengalis in the area of education and culture they made a list of highly recognized intellectuals of the society and annihilated them on December 14, 1971 two days prior to the surrender of Pakistan army and victory of Bangladesh.
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