Nation observing Bangabandhu’s martyrdom anniversary

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Cox Gazette August 15, 2021, 12:15 PM

People across the country are observing the National Mourning Day today, the darkest chapter in the history of independent Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, marking the 46th anniversary of his martyrdom and National Mourning Day today.

The prime minister paid homage to the Architect of Independence by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road No. 32 in the capital.

After placing wreaths, she stood in solemn silence for some time, showing respect to the great leader. A smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Armed Forces gave a state salute, while the bugle played the tune of grief to the last post.

A munajat was also offered seeking 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 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 doa seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs of August 15. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated along with most of his family members at the dawn of August 15, 1975 by a group 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 as they were abroad at that time. Bangabandhu's wife Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, three sons -- Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russel, 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 a fateful night. Bangabandhu's Military Secretary Col Jamil Uddin Ahmad Bir Uttam, who was promoted posthumously to the rank of Brigadier General, was also killed during the massacre.

Some members of a family at Mohammadpur in the capital were killed by artillery shells fired by the killers on the same day. The day is a public holiday.

Tributes are also being paid to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his grave at Tungipara in the Gopalganj district. The government, different socio-cultural, political and professional organisations, including the ruling Awami League and its associate bodies, are observing the day with various programmes maintaining social distancing rules.

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

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

The national flag will remain hoisted at half-mast at government, autonomous, semi-autonomous, educational institutions, private buildings and Bangladesh missions abroad. Bangladesh missions abroad are also observing the day with elaborate programmes.