The government has officially declared November 7 as ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day,’ mandating its national observance.

A new circular issued by the Cabinet Division has categorized the day under ‘Category A,’ the highest priority level for national and international commemorative days.

The Cabinet Division released the amendment on Tuesday (April 21), stating:

"The government has decided that 'National Revolution and Solidarity Day' will be observed annually on November 7 as a Category A national day."

This directive integrates the day into the existing list of primary national observances established in a previous circular dated March 11. All relevant ministries, divisions, and agencies have been instructed to ensure the proper implementation of this decision.

Background and Significance
The inclusion marks a significant shift in the official calendar. In the earlier circular issued on March 11, November 7 was notably absent from the list of recognized days.

Furthermore, the day held no official recognition during the tenure of the previous Awami League government.

National Revolution and Solidarity Day commemorates the "Soldier-People Uprising" of November 7, 1975. During the coup led by Colonel (Retd.) Abu Taher, General Ziaur Rahman was released from house arrest, eventually leading to his rise to power.

A Contested History
The day’s legacy remains a point of political contention in Bangladesh:

The BNP Perspective: Established by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the day was traditionally observed as a public holiday during their governance, celebrating it as a moment of national liberation.

The Opposition Perspective: Critics and opponents of the uprising, particularly the Awami League, historically observe the date as "Muktijoddha Sainik Hatya Dibos" (Freedom Fighter Soldier Killing Day).

They use the occasion to protest the killing of several high-ranking liberation war veterans, including Khaled Mosharraf, during the 1975 unrest.