The nation is observing the 38th death anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Thursday by paying homage to the Independence War hero.The day, August 15, is also being observed as the National Mourning Day for the victims of the 1975 military coup that killed most members of Bangabandhu’s family.
The day — declared, a public holiday — started with flying the national flag half-mast at all government, semi-government and autonomous organisations, educational institutions, private establishments and Bangladesh missions abroad.
On Aug 15, 1975, the architect of Bangladesh’s freedom was assassinated along with most members of his family by a group of disgruntled army officers at his Dhanmondi residence.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was then President of the new infant republic.
The government and ruling Awami League have declared a slew of programmes to observe the National Mourning Day.
Some other political parties were also observing the day.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina placed wreaths at the portrait of the slain leader at Bangabandhu Bhaban on Dhanmondi Road No 32 at 6:30am.
A guard of honour was given by the Armed Forces and special prayers were offered with recitations from the Holy Quran.
After that, Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League President, led the party leaders to pay the respects at Bangabandhu’s portrait.
Ruling party General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam was present at the time with other central and top leaders.
After that, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Chief Whip Abdus Shahid paid their tributes.
Later on, leaders and activists of Awami League’s affiliated organisations paid their respects.
Thousands more were queuing up to pay their homage at the Dhanmondi Road No 32 residence of Bangladesh’s independence war hero.
Special prayers have been organised at mosques, temples, churches and other places of worship across the country. Discussions will also be held on the significance of the day.
Meanwhile, in a message, President Abdul Hamid has urged the government to bring back and execute the convicted killers of Bangabandhu hiding abroad.
Sheikh Hasina, Bangabandhu’s eldest daughter, in a separate message on the occasion, said the murderers had killed Bangabandhu but could not finish off his dream and ideals. “The people of country had been nurturing his ideals of sacrifice.”
The others killed on that fateful night 38 years ago included Bangabandhu’s wife Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russel, daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal, younger brother Sheikh Abu Naser, nephew Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni and brother-in-law Abdur Rab Serniyabat, Moni’s wife Begum Arju Moni and Serniabat’s daughter ‘Baby’, son ‘Arif’ and grandson Sukanto Babu.
Mujibur’s security chief Col Jamiluddin Ahmed, police’s Special Branch Sub-Inspector Siddiqur Rahman, three guests and four domestic helpers were the others to fall.
Bangabandhu’s daughters Hasina and Sheikh Rehana escaped the massacre as they were in Europe at that time.
The Prime Minister placed wreaths at 7am at the Banani graves of the others killed that night.
President Abdul Hamid and Hasina also paid their respects at Bangabandhu’s grave at Tungipara in Gopalganj around 11am. Member of the Cabinet and Parliament, chiefs of three forces and ruling party leaders were also present there.
Later in the afternoon, she will join a special prayers at the Dhanmondi Road No 32 residence.
She will also attend a discussion to mark the day on Friday afternoon at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.
State-run Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television are airing special programmes and newspapers have brought out special supplements.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was born on Mar 17, 1920, at Tungipara in Gopalganj.
He came to limelight with the formation of Purba Pakistan Chhatra League following the Partition.
He continued to rise in national politics because of his active involvement in the language movement in 1952, 1954 general elections, and six-point declaration in 1966. His arrest in the Agarata conspiracy case catapulted him into national limelight, making him the undisputed leader of the Bengali freedom struggle against Pakistani exploitation.
He was given the title of ‘Bangabandhu’ after he was freed from jail in 1969.
The trial of Bangabandhu killing began after the Awami League formed government in 1996. The Dhaka District and Sessions Judge’s Court on Nov 8, 1998 awarded death sentence to 15 of the 20 accused in the case.
The execution of the verdict was stuck as the High Court did not complete the hearing of the appeals against the verdict during the BNP-led government that assumed office in 2001.
The subsequent Awami League-led government, which took office in 2009, had the appeals disposed of at the High Court and Supreme Court, and five of the convicted were executed.
Several of the death-row convicts are currently hiding abroad. The government has been saying it was trying to bring the killers back and execute their sentences. – bdnews24.com
