The BNP will observe National Revolution and Solidarity Day today, marking the civil-military "uprising" that led to the release of then army chief Ziaur Rahman on this day in 1975.

The party has chalked out elaborate programmes, including discussions, to commemorate the occasion.

Amid political turmoil, soldiers and civilians on November 7, 1975, jointly freed the then chief of army staff from captivity in Dhaka cantonment, paving the way for him to assume power.

To mark the day, the party flag will be hoisted at all BNP offices across the country this morning, while senior leaders will lay wreaths and offer fateha at the grave of late president and party founder Ziaur Rahman at 10:00am.

The BNP's Dhaka north and south city units will also take out a procession from the party's Nayapaltan central office at 3:00pm. All district and upazila units will carry out similar programmes.

In addition, BNP's associate bodies and all units will organise various events, including discussions, cultural events, photo exhibitions, distribution of educational materials among orphan students, and documentary screenings.

Special supplements will also be published in newspapers to mark the day.

On November 12, the party will hold a discussion at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.

Observing the day, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman yesterday said in a Facebook post that the soldier-people revolution of November 7 marked not only a major turning point in Bangladesh's history, but also the beginning of nationalist politics opposing imperialism. The revolution, he said, played a crucial role in protecting the nation's sovereignty.

He wrote that, on that day, driven by patriotism, soldiers and citizens took to the streets vowing to protect national independence and restore democracy. "For this reason, the revolution of November 7 is regarded as a highly significant event in Bangladesh's history.

"I believe that in the spirit of November 7, all nationalist forces must unite to build a strong democracy. For that, protecting national independence and sovereignty is very important at this moment."

Announcing the programmes at the party's Nayapaltan office on Sunday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said November 7 is a very important day in Bangladesh's political and national history, as it brought a historic change in the country's politics.

He said the unprecedented unity of the people and soldiers that day paved the way for Ziaur Rahman's entry into politics and his efforts to rebuild the nation through major economic reforms.

During his rule, the country experienced a wave of development, and a spirit of enthusiasm spread among the people. Sadly, the enemies of Bangladesh brutally killed president Ziaur Rahman at the Chattogram Circuit House, marking another dark chapter in our history, he said.

Fakhrul said the philosophy of Ziaur Rahman, based on Bangladeshi nationalism, "can never be defeated. That's why the BNP has never been defeated -- it has risen again and again from the ruins, just like the mythical phoenix.

"November 7 remains an important day in our political life. We want to remember this day with respect and move forward with the spirit of revolution and solidarity it represents," the BNP leader added.