People from different walks of life alongside some leaders and activists of the Awami League on Wednesday lit candles at the Bangabandhu Museum to mark August 15, the day for the commemorating the killing of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with most of his family members on that day in 1975.
Witnesses said the AL men along with some cultural activists gathered in front of the museum in the evening.
They erected a makeshift portrait of Bangabandhu on the premises and lit candles as part of respect to the country’s architect.
While lighting candles, some miscreants with sticks appeared before the scene and asked them to leave the premises.
When the miscreants started vandalising the portrait of Bangabandhu, cultural activists, including Rokeya Prachy tried to resist them.
Prachy, also a national award-winning actress, injured while trying to prevent the miscreants from vandalising the portrait of Bangabandhu. AL vows to observe Aug 15 today Braving all obstacles, leaders and activists of the Awami League is going to observe August 15, the day for commemorating the killing of Bangabandhu along with most of his family members on that day in 1975.
Many activists say that they will visit the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in the morning and place floral wreaths in front of the portrait of Bangabandhu.
“We will go to the Bangabandhu Memorial and place wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu as part of respect to the architect of the country’s independence,” said a central leader wishing not to be named.
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.
After assuming office in 1996, the AL started observing the day as National Mourning Day. August 15 had been observed as National Mourning Day for the last 15 years during the previous Awami League-led government.
But the situation has been changed with the fall of the AL government led by Sheikh Hasina who resigned from the post of Prime Minister and fled the country amid a mass upsurge on August 5.
After a political changeover, a meeting of the advisory council of the interim government on Tuesday cancelled the national holiday on August 15.
Party insiders say they have a plan to turn around centering the day but a sense of fear has gripped many of the leaders following the arrest of ministers, lawmakers and advisers.
Former law minister Anisul Huq and former adviser Salman F Rahman were arrested on Tuesday.
Many leaders say that they will take a decision of visiting Bangabandhu Memorial considering the overall situation.
A section of leaders said that they would not go to the Bangabandhu Memorial as they have already been indicted in cases.
AL religious affairs sub-committee member Mohammad Mahibullah on Wednesday filed an application to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police seeking permission for bringing out a procession in the capital.
“There is an obligation to have permission from the police to hold any programme on the streets. The application has been filed in consultation with central Awami League body,” he told the Bangladesh Post.
He said that they would go to Bangabandhu Memorial at any cost to pay respect to the country’s architect.
“Instead of creating any obstacles, the government should ensure security to our peaceful programme,” he said.
Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of Sheikh Hasina, urged the AL leaders and activists to observe the day in a peaceful manner.
Marking the day, the AL will hoist the national flag and party flag at half-mast at Bangabandhu Bhaban, its central office and all offices of the party across the country.
The AL outlines a plan to place wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at 8:00am and bring out a rally from Dhanmodi. Besides, the party will also arrange doa mahfil at mosques, temples and pagodas.
Marking the day, the AL Gopalganj unit will also arrange programme at Tungipara.
Against the backdrop, Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has been observing a countrywide Resistance Week programme to foil any evil plots centering August 15.
