Today is August 15, the National Mourning Day and the 49th anniversary of the martyrdom of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
At the fateful dawn of August 15 in 1975, a group of disgruntled army officers assassinated Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with most of his family members and toppled his three-and-half-year-old government.
Bangabandhu’s wife Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russel, daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal, brother Sheikh Naser, peasant leader Abdur Rab Serniabat, youth leader Sheikh Fazlul Haq Moni and his wife Arzu Moni, Baby Serniabat, Sukanta Babu, Arif and Abdul Nayeem Khan Rintu were also killed along with Bangabandhu.
Bangabandhu’s two daughters – former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana – survived the carnage as they were in Germany at that time.
The Bangalee nation witnessed the history’s most heinous incident this day in 1975 at a time when Bangabandhu devoted himself to implementing his dream to build the country as Sonar Bangla (golden Bengal).
The assassination of Bangabandhu dealt a major blow to the spirit of the country’s liberation war. The country saw politics of killing, coup and conspiracy after the killing of the iconic leader.
Meanwhile, the interim government on Tuesday cancelled the national holiday on August 15.
The decision was taken during a meeting of advisory council of the interim government at the Chief Adviser's Office at the State Guest House Jamuna.
“The decision to cancel the national holiday on August 15 was taken unanimously after a discussion with the council of advisers and political parties,” said a press release.
The cabinet division also issued a gazette notification in this regard.
August 15 had been observed as National Mourning Day for the last 15 years during the previous Awami League-led government.
After the fall of Sheikh Hasina led government on August 5, there had been increasing demands from various quarters to cancel the holiday.
Earlier on Monday, several leaders of different political parties, including BNP held a meeting with Dr Mohammad Yunus, chief adviser of the interim government, and placed their opinions to cancel the public holiday.
According to sources, the decision was taken on the basis of a consensus during the recent dialogues with political parties.
