The nation has observed the National Mourning Day and 46th martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with due respect and solemnity. People across the country on Sunday paid homage to the greatest son of the soil and the architect of Bangladesh’s independence.
Bangabandhu, his spouse Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, their sons– Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal, and Sheikh Russell– and most of the family members of Bangabandhu and three close relatives were assassinated by a group of disgruntled army men on the fateful night of August 15 in 1975.
Two daughters of Bangabandhu-- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana—could escape the carnage as they were staying abroad.
The government, ruling Awami League, its front bodies and different other political parties and socio-cultural organisations observed elaborate programmes to mark the martyrdom anniversary of Bangabandhu and National Mourning Day with due respect and solemnity, following health guidelines.
As part of the programmes, the national flag was hoisted half-mast at the buildings of all government, semi-government, autonomous, educational institutions and private offices. Bangladesh missions abroad also hoisted the national flag half-mast and organised various programmes marking the day.
As part of the Awami League’s central programme, the national flag and party flag were kept at half-mast and black flag were hoisted at the Bangabandhu Bhaban, Awami League headquarters in the capital and all other offices of the party across the country.
Floral wreaths were placed at the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum and Doa and Munajat were also held. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage to the Father of the Nation by placing wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi-32 in the capital.
After paying tributes to Bangabandhu, the Prime Minister visited the historic residence of Father of the Nation at Dhanmondi Road No. 32 which witnessed the world’s most barbaric carnage on this day 46 years back.
Sheikh Hasina stayed in the house, which has now been turned into Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, for a while.
From Dhanmondi, the Premier later went to Banani Graveyard where her mother Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, brothers Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal, and Sheikh Russel and other martyrs of August 15 were laid to eternal rest.
The Prime Minister placed wreaths and spread flower petals on their graves. She also offered Fateha and prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs of August 15.
Floral wreaths were also placed at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu at Tungipara in Gopalganj. Fateha was offered and special prayers were held there maintaining social distancing.
Prime Minister’s Military Secretary Major General Naqib Ahmed Chowdhury paid homage to Bangabandhu by placing wreath at his mausoleum on behalf of the prime minister.
As part of the state programme, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to Bangabandhu at Dhanmondi-32.
Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury paid rich tributes to Bangabandhu by laying a wreath at his portrait at Dhanmondi-32 on the occasion of his 46th martyrdom anniversary and National Mourning Day. She also stood in solemn silence for some time, showing respect to Father of the Nation and other martyrs of August 15 carnage and prayed for eternal peace of their departed souls.
Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain paid homage to the Father of the Nation by laying a wreath at his portrait at Dhanmondi-32 in the early morning. After paying homage at Dhanmondi, the Supreme Court Judges Committee, headed by the Chief Justice, laid a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu at the Supreme Court Judges Lounge in the morning.
Judges of the Appellate Division Nuruzzaman Noni and Justice Obaidul Hasan, judges of the High Court Division Justice M Enayetur Rahim, Justice Krishna Debnath, Justice Jahangir Hossain, Justice JBM Hasan, Justice Md Khasruzzaman and Justice Shahinur Islam were also present at the time.
Awami League leaders led by Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader also paid rich tribute to Bangabandhu by placing wreath at his portrait at Dhanmondi-32.
The party’s presidium members Matia Chowdhury, Dr Abdur Razzaque, Joint General Secretary and Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, Joint General Secretaries Mahbubul Alam Hanif, Dr Dipu Moni and AFM Bahauddin Nasim, among others, were present.
After paying tributes on behalf of the central Awami League, leaders and activists of Krishak League, Mahila Awami League, Juba League, Juba Mahila League, Swechchhasebak League, Chhatra League and other front and associate bodies also paid homage to Bangabandhu.
Two city corporations of Dhaka, different ministries, governmental and non-government organisations and social bodies also paid rich tributes to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait.
After placing on behalf of the central Awami League, Obaidul Quader talked to the newsmen. He stressed forming a separate inquiry commission to expose behind the scene masterminds of August 15 carnage.
Law Minister Anisul Huq also said that a commission would be formed to identify the perpetrators behind the killing of Bangabandhu. Involvement of Ziaur Rahman and evidence of other perpetrators behind the killing will be presented before the public through the commission, he added.
He also said that the fugitives of Bangabandhu murder case would be brought back to the country.
The Law Minister came up with the assertion at the inaugural ceremony of ‘Bangabandhu Gallery’ at Tejgaon Registration Complex in the capital. Secretary of the Law and Judiciary Division Golam Sarwar, Inspector General of Registration (IGR) Shahidul Alam Jhinuk also spoke on the occasion.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said that the government would reward if anyone can provide correct information about the location of traceless three fugitive convicted killers of Bangabandhu.
He made the comment after placing wreath at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Bangabandhu Corner of foreign ministry in the morning. State minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and foreign secretary Masud bin Momen were also present at the time.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal at a programme on the Mourning Day also said that the fugitives of Bangabandhu murder case would be brought back to the country soon and executed.
A memorial meeting and food distribution programme was held at Dholairpar area in the capital. Co-chairman of Jatiya Party Syed Abu Hossain Babla presided over the programme, while the party’s vice chairman Salma Hossain also spoke on the occasion, among others.
In line with the national programmes, different ministries and divisions, departments and agencies organised various programmes marking the day.
The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department and its affiliated organisations paid homage to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait at the ICT Tower in the capital.
Officers and employees of ICT Department and ICT Directorate under it, Bangladesh Computer Council, Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park, Controller of Certifying Authority, Digital Security Agency and all projects under the department were present at that time.
A minute of silence was observed to pay homage to Bangabandhu and other martyrs of his family. Later, officials took part in the memorial meeting on Bangabandhu presided over by Senior Secretary of ICT Department NM Ziaul Alam.
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) sent SMS to all mobile users describing the significance of the National Mourning Day.
Discussions, poetry recitation, composition, painting competition and exhibition and Doa Mahfil were arranged in schools, colleges, madrasahs and other educational institutions.
The National Mourning Day was observed across the country with due respect. District and upazila administrations arranged various programmes, including discussions and Doa Mahfils to mark the day, maintaining the social distancing and following other health guidelines.
Moreover, special Munajats and Doa were offered at mosques across the country after Johr prayers while special prayers took place at temples, churches, pagodas and other places of worship on the day.
Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television aired special programmes in observance of the day. National dailies and magazines published special supplements on the occasion.
Poster publication, its distribution and screening of documentary films on Bangabandhu were made.