Joy Bangla

"Joy Bangla" written in Bengali alphabet

Joy Bangla (Bengali: জয় বাংলা [dʒɔj ˈbaŋla]) is a slogan and was a war cry used in Bangladesh and in the Indian state of West Bengal to indicate nationalism towards the geopolitical, cultural and historical region of Bengal and Bangamata (also known as Bangla Maa or Mother Bengal). It translates roughly to "Victory to Bengal" or "Hail Bengal".

Quotes

• The struggle this time is the struggle for our emancipation. The struggle this time is the struggle for independence. Joy Bangla!
  • Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Speech on 7 March 1971 at Ramna Race Course (now Suhrawardy Udyan), Dhaka.

• I, Major Zia, on behalf of our Great Leader, the Supreme Commander of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, do hereby proclaim the independence of Bangla Desh and (sic) that the government headed by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has already been formed. It is further proclaimed that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is the sole leader of the elected representatives of 75 million people of Bangla Desh and the government headed by him is the only legitimate government of the people of the independent sovereign state of Bangla Desh, which is legally and constitutionally formed and is worthy of being recognised by all the governments of the world. I, therefore, appeal on behalf of our Great Leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to the governments of all the democratic countries of the world, especially the Big Powers and the neighbouring countries, to recognise the legal government of Bangla Desh and take effective steps to stop immediately the awful genocide that has been carried on by the army of occupation from Pakistan. To dub us, the elected representatives of the majority of the people, as secessionists, is a cruel joke and should befool none. The guiding principle of the new state will be, first, neutrality; second, peace; third, friendship to all and enmity to none. May Allah help us. Joy Bangla!
  • Ziaur Rahman, on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, proclaimed the independence of Bangladesh from the Kalurghat radio station in Chittagong on March 27, 1971. [1]