Shaheed Noor Hossain Day Today

Today, November 10, marks Shaheed Noor Hossain Day. On this day in 1987, Noor Hossain was shot dead during a pro-democracy procession in Dhaka against the then military ruler, Hussain Muhammad Ershad. His supreme sacrifice accelerated the fall of the autocratic regime.

November 10 remains a memorable day in Bangladesh’s struggle to restore democracy. With the slogan “Down with autocracy” written on his chest and “Let democracy be free” on his back, Noor Hossain stood at the forefront of the procession. When law enforcement forces opened fire at Dhaka’s Zero Point, he was martyred, sparking an intensified anti-autocracy movement. After a series of continuous protests, the Ershad government was finally toppled on December 6, 1990, and democracy was restored in the country. Every year, various political, social, and cultural organizations observe the day through different programs.

Noor Hossain became a symbol of the anti-autocracy movement of 1987. Like a living poster, he expressed the aspirations of democracy-loving people with slogans written on his body. Within three years of his martyrdom, on December 6, 1990, Ershad’s autocratic regime came to an end.

Born into the family of an autorickshaw driver in Narinda, Dhaka, Noor Hossain studied up to class eight before learning to drive. On November 10, 1987, he joined a procession led by Awami League President Sheikh Hasina in Paltan. As the rally reached Zero Point, police fired tear gas and bullets to disperse the crowd. Noor Hossain and Jubo League leader Babul were shot dead. His slogans became the enduring symbol of the pro-democracy movement.

A month after his death, on December 6, 1987, Ershad dissolved the national parliament. The subsequent election held in March 1988 lacked legitimacy as major political parties boycotted it. Eventually, on December 6, 1990, Ershad was forced to resign. In the national election held on February 27, 1991, the BNP won a majority and formed the government. The place where Noor Hossain was shot is now known as Shaheed Noor Hossain Chattar.

Khaborwala/TSN