Bangladesh to Observe One-Minute Blackout on March 25 to Mark Genocide Day

According to a statement from the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, the blackout will take place from 10:30pm to 10:31pm on March 25, observed as National Genocide Day.

The ministry said the program will be implemented across the country, except in key point installations (KPIs), emergency facilities, and foreign missions in Bangladesh.

To maintain the solemnity of the day, all government, semi-government, autonomous, and private buildings have been instructed not to illuminate their premises on the night of March 25.

On the night of March 25, 1971—known in Bangladesh as the “Black Night”—the Pakistani military launched a brutal অভিযান called Operation Searchlight. The crackdown targeted unarmed Bengali civilians, including students, teachers, and police personnel, resulting in the deaths of thousands.

In recognition of the atrocities, Bangladesh’s parliament unanimously adopted a resolution on March 11, 2017, declaring March 25 as National Genocide Day.