National Mourning Day observed

The country observed the National Mourning Day commemorating the 46th martyrdom anniversary of its founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members in a sombre ambience on Sunday.

People across the country marked the day, the darkest chapter in the history of independent Bangladesh through various programmes with due respect and solemnity.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage to the architect of the country’s independence by placing wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum on Dhanmondi Road 32.

After placing wreath, the premier stood in solemn silence there for some time, showing respect to the great leader.

A smartly turned-out contingent of Bangladesh Armed Forces gave a state salute while bugles played the last post.

A munajat was also offered seeking the eternal peace of the departed souls of the August-15 carnage.

From Dhanmondi, the prime minister went to Banani Graveyard where her mother Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, brothers Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell, and other martyrs of August 15 were laid to eternal rest.

The prime minister placed wreaths and spread petals on their graves and offered fateha and doa seeking eternal peace for the departed souls.

On behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, homage was paid to the grave of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Tungipara in Gopalganj.

The prime minister’s military secretary Major General Naqib Ahmed Chowdhury paid tributes to Bangabandhu by placing a wreath at his mausoleum there.

A contingent drawn from three services gave also a guard of honour.

The PM’s military secretary offered fateha and joined a special munajat seeking eternal peace for Bangabandhu and other martyrs of the August-15 carnage.

A special prayer and milad mahfil were also arranged at the Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban on Sunday which was attended by President Abdul Hamid.

Members of the president’s family, secretaries to the president, military and civilian officials of Bangabhaban and other employees took part in the programme.

Special prayers were offered seeking divine blessings for the martyrs who were killed on August 15, 1975 along with Bangabandhu.

The Awami League leaders led by its Presidium Member Muhammad Faruk Khan also offered homage to Bangabandhu on behalf of the central Awami League at the Bangabandhu Mausoleum at Tungipara in Gopalganj.

The Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated along with most of his family members at the dawn of August 15, 1975 by a cabal of army personnel following a deep-rooted conspiracy against the country and its independence.

His two daughters — Sheikh Hasina, now the prime minister, and Sheikh Rehana — survived the massacre as they were abroad at that time.

Eighteen members of the first family along with Bangabandhu’s wife Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, three sons — Captain Sheikh Kamal, Lt Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell, two daughters-in-law — Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal, brother Sheikh Naser, peasant leader Abdur Rob Serniabat, youth leader Sheikh Fazlul Haq Moni and his wife Arzu Moni, Baby Serniabat, Sukanta Babu, Arif and Abdul Nayeem Khan Rintu were killed on the fateful day.

The government arranged elaborated programmes to observe the day maintaining health guidelines.

As part of the programmes, the national flag was hoisted at half-mast atop the buildings of all government, semi-government, autonomous, educational institutions and private offices.

Different sociocultural, political and professional organisations, including the ruling Awami League and its associate bodies, are observing the day with various programmes maintaining social distancing due to the prevalence of coronavirus.

Special munajats were offered in all mosques across the country while special prayers were also arranged in temples, pagodas, churches and other places of worship.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister M Tajul Islam at a discussion at the Department of Public Health Engineering accused Ziaur Rahman of abetting the assassination of Bangabandhu and his family on August 15, 1975.

While addressing a discussion marking the National Mourning Day at the National Economic Council conference room in Dhaka, Planning Minister MA Mannan said Bangladesh went backward for some decades after the gruesome assassination of Bangabandhu.

State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam said: “We have gone back after losing Bangabandhu. The stage we have reached now would have been achieved long ago if Bangabandhu had been alive.”

Social Welfare Minister Nuruzzman Ahmed at a discussion organised by the Department of Social Welfare said the anti-liberation elements are conspiring to obstruct the development of country.

Such conspirators would be dealt with a heavy hand, he warned.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim said the failure of political leadership led to the gruesome killing of Bangabandhu in 1975.

The minister was addressing a discussion arranged by Pirojpur district administration marking the day.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami placed a wreath in tribute to Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum.

Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi observed the day by hoisting the national flag at half-mast on the Chancery premises and arranging a discussion.

The national implementation committee for the celebration of birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman also placed a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu.

On behalf of the committee, Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain, State Minister for cultural Affairs KM Khalid, Chief Coordinator of the committee Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain, Director General of the International Mother Language Institute Jinnat Imtiaz Ali were, among others, present on the occasion.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association commemorated the day with due reverence and paid tribute to Bangabandhu.

The first part of its program began on the premises of Sparrow Apparels. The leaders of the trade body led by its president Faruque Hassan offered homage to the architect of Bangladesh’s independence by placing wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu.

They also planted trees on the factory premises.

BGMEA vice president Miran Ali, Directors Asif Ashraf, Tanvir Ahmed, Abdullah Hil Rakib, Haroon Ar Rashid, Rajiv Chowdhury, Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan, Md Imranur Rahman, former lawmaker and vice chairman of Sparrow Group Chayan Islam, Managing Director of Sparrow Group Shovon Islam and Director of Giant Group Sharmeen Hassan Tithi were also present on the occasion.

Later food was distributed among the orphans at Shahabuddin Hafizia Madrasa and Orphanage in Gazipur. They also took part in the prayers seeking forgiveness and peace for Bangabandhu and his family members.

Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private TV channels and radio stations aired special programmes highlighting the life, struggle and achievements of the great leader while newspapers published supplements on the occasion.