Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed stated that on November 7, 1975, martyred President Ziaur Rahman ultimately protected the unprotected independence and sovereignty of the nation.

He made these remarks as the chief guest at a discussion and cultural program organized by the Officers' Club, Dhaka, on Saturday night (November 7) to mark National Revolution and Solidarity Day.

Salahuddin Ahmed noted that after the Great Liberation War of 1971, the dreams and expectations of the country's people remained unfulfilled. One-party rule gave rise to economic disparity, corruption, political instability, and simmering public discontent. At that critical juncture, thwacking geopolitical conspiracies, the soldiers and general public freed Ziaur Rahman from captivity and entrusted him with the leadership of the nation.

He further emphasized that Ziaur Rahman did not instigate the November 7 Sepoy-People's Revolution out of a lust for power or on his own initiative; rather, the people chose him as their leader to fulfill a noble national imperative.

Ziaur Rahman rescued Bangladesh from the shackles of unprotected subjection and united the nation under multi-party democracy, a modern economy, and an inclusive constitution, which bound every citizen together and laid a solid foundation for Bangladeshi nationalism.

The Home Minister asserted that November 7 is not the exclusive property of any single political party; it stands as an eternal and universal achievement of Bangladeshi nationalism and freedom-loving people from all walks of life.

Drawing a historical parallel, he stated that what the British termed the "Sepoy Mutiny" in 1857 was essentially the subcontinent's first war of independence. Though that revolution failed, the Sepoy-People's Revolution of November 7, 1975, did not. Had it failed, Bangladesh might have been bound in the chains of long-term subjugation for generations to come.

Addressing the spirit of the July Uprising and the political ethos of '24, the Minister remarked that the 2024 mass uprising did not materialize overnight. This victory was achieved through the immense sacrifices, blood, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and lives lost by countless people from 2009 to 2024. Therefore, no specific group or political force should claim sole ownership of this spirit, as it belongs to the entire nation.

Calling upon civil service officers to serve the public free from political influence, Salahuddin urged them to remain above all political pressure and temptation, dedicating themselves to serving the Republic and executing the manifesto of the elected government mandated by the people.

He underscored that the fundamental duty of public servants is to execute state administration and election duties impartially while defying illegal orders.

Speaking as a former member of the Civil Service Association and a former government official himself, the Minister noted that in the past, a section of the civil service—driven by political pressure, greed, or fear—helped organize voterless and nighttime elections, damaging democratic institutions and forcing the administration to pay a heavy price. He warned that administration must never again be used for political ends to establish one-party rule or prolong power, ensuring such shameful history is never repeated.

Highlighting the critical responsibility of republic officials, he stated that Deputy Commissioners act as representatives of the state's executive head at the field level. Consequently, their responsibilities are immense, requiring them to operate with continuous refinement and professionalism.

Stressing the importance of maintaining democratic continuity, the Home Minister stated that power will be peacefully transferred to whichever party receives the public mandate after five years, as peaceful transition is the core foundation of democracy.

Presided over by Nasimul Gani, President of the Officers' Club Dhaka and Cabinet Secretary, the event featured Bijon Kanti Sarkar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and Ethnic Minority Affairs, and A.B.M. Abdus Sattar, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office and General Secretary of Officers' Club Dhaka, as special guests.

The welcome address was delivered by Abdul Khalek, Treasurer of Officers' Club Dhaka and Senior Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division.

Other notable speakers included former Secretary and former Executive Director of DTCA Mashiur Rahman, former Secretary S.M. Zahirul Islam, and freedom fighter and former Secretary Masud Alamgir Hossain (Masud Alamgir Hossain Nobel). M.A. Razzaque, Vice President of Officers' Club Dhaka, delivered the closing remarks.

The program commenced with the national anthem and a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a minute of silence observed in memory of the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War, the martyrs of November 7, 1975, and the martyrs of the July 2024 mass uprising.

A special documentary produced for National Revolution and Solidarity Day 2026 was screened at the event, where the chief guest was also presented with floral greetings.