The National Mourning Day and the 48th martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was observed today across the country and Bangladesh missions abroad with due respect and solemnity.
Bangabandhu and most of his family members were brutally killed by some disgruntled army men on the fateful day of August 15, 1975 and this carnage is touted as the ugliest chapter of the nation’s history.
Father of the Nation’s two daughters Sheikh Hasina, now Prime Minister, and Sheikh Rehana escaped the planned assassination as they were staying abroad at that time.
The government drew up elaborate programmes in observance of the day at the national level.
The national flag was hoisted half-mast at all government, semi-government, autonomous and educational institutions and private buildings including Bangladesh missions abroad.
As part of the state programme, President Mohammed Shahabuddin paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi-32 here this morning.
Later, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage to Bangabandhu, the architect of independent Bangladesh, by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi.
After placing the wreaths, they stood in solemn silence for some time to show profound respect to the great leader.
A smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Armed Forces gave a state salute at that time, while the bugle played a tune of grief and somber to the last post.
A munajat was also offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs of August 15 carnage.
Afterwards, flanked by senior Awami League (AL) leaders and cabinet members, AL President Sheikh Hasina placed a wreath at Bangabandhu’s portrait on behalf of the party, while prime minister younger sister Sheikh Rehana was present.
AL advisory council member Amir Hossain Amu, its presidium members–deputy leader of the Jatiya Sangsad Begum Matia Chowdhury, Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Abdur Rahman, Shajahan Khan and Dr Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin, general secretary Obaidul Quader, joint general secretaries – Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, Mahbubul Alam Hanif and AFM Bahauddin Nasim, organising secretaries Ahmad Hossain, Abu Sayed Al Swapan and SM Kamal Hossain, publicity and publications affairs secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap, science and technology affairs secretary Abdus Sabur and office secretary Biplab Barua, among others, were also present.
Leaders of 14-party alliance also placed a wreath on Bangabandhu’s portrait on behalf of the alliance.
Then, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique paid homage to Bangabandhu respectively at Dhanmondi.
Since the dawn, wearing black badges and carrying banners in their hands, people of all strata including school and college students, leaders and workers of socio-cultural and political organisations thronged the premises of the historic Bangabandhu Bhaban to pay homage to Bangabandhu.
The Bangabandhu Memorial Museum was kept open for all after the prime minister left the place.
AL’s Dhaka north and south city units, Awami Jubo League, Awami Swechchhasebak League, Mahila Awami League, Jubo Mahila League, Jatiya Sramik League, Bangladesh Krishak League, Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), Tanti League and BCL’s Dhaka University unit also paid homage to Bangabandhu.
Different government bodies and socio-cultural organizations, including Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Cultural Affairs Ministry, Dhaka University, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), University Grants Commission (UGC), National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), Bangla Academy, National Museum, Department of Public Libraries, Shishu Academy, National Institute of Mass Communication (NIMCO), Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB), Engineers Institution, Bangladesh (IEB), Islamic Foundation (IF) and Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote paid rich tributes to Bangabandhu.
Wounded freedom fighters, 1971 Liberation War martyrs’ families, Supreme Court Lawyers Association, Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, Sector Commanders Forum, Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatun Nesa Mujib Parishad, Employees of Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Jatiya Mahila Sangstha, Jatiya Kabita Parishad, Jatiya Gitikobi Parishad, Jubo Union, Chhatra Union, Sheikh Russell Shishu Sangsad, Bangabandhu Krishibid Parishad and different other social, cultural and professional bodies also placed wreaths.
