National Mourning Day observed around the country
Demand raised for the formation of an inquiry commission to unmask the villains who orchestrated the 15 August 1975 carnage from behind the scene
People across the country on Sunday observed National Mourning Day – the darkest chapter in the history of independent Bangladesh – when Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with most of his family members were assassinated in 1975.
People paid rich tributes to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, marking the 46th anniversary of his martyrdom.
Tributes were also paid to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his grave in Tungipara of Gopalganj district.
Government and different socio-cultural-political and professional organisations, including ruling Awami League and its associate bodies, Bangladeshi missions abroad and foreign missions in Bangladesh, observed the day with various programmes maintaining physical distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Special prayer sessions were offered in all mosques across the country while special prayers were arranged in temples, pagodas, churches and other places of worship across the country.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage to the architect of Bangladesh's independence by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road No 32.
After placing wreaths, the prime minister stood in solemn silence there for some time showing respect to the great leader.
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader stressed forming a separate inquiry commission to expose the masterminds who orchestrated the 15 August 1975 carnage from behind the scene.
While talking to the media after paying homage to the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi 32, Quader said, "The killers of Bangabandhu were executed through trial. But, beyond them, those who were conspirators must be found out and brought to justice by forming a commission."
The new generation cannot be kept in the dark in this regard, he said.
Echoing Obaidul Quader, Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, noted academician and former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University, suggested forming an independent commission to carry out a thorough study to expose the entire plot behind the 15 August carnage to stop recurrence of such heinous conspiracies in future.
"Formation of a fact finding commission is crucial to unearth the detailed plot of 15 August," he told state news agency BSS in an interview.
To mark the National Mourning Day, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting organised a discussion meeting and film exhibition.
While addressing the event, Dr Hasan Mahmud, information minister and joint general secretary of the Awami League, said in Bangladesh that became independent under the leadership of Bangabandhu, those who refuse to acknowledge Bangabandhu's contribution should not have the right to do politics.
Mentioning that the killers have been brought to justice, he said now it is the time to form a commission to unmask the masterminds behind the killings on 15 August 1975, including Ziaur Rahman, to tell the next generation the true history.
President offers doa at Bangabhaban
President M Abdul Hamid offered doa at the Durbar Hall of the Bangabhaban after Asr prayers marking the National Mourning Day. A special munajat was offered on the occasion seeking eternal peace for the departed souls of Bangabandhu and his family members.
Besides, doa was also offered seeking overall development and progress of the country and the nation in these trying times of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The president's family members, secretaries concerned to the presidential palace, civil and military officials and employees attended the doa mahfil.
Bangabandhu not sole property of any political party: GM Quader
Speaking at a discussion meeting held on the occasion of the National Mourning Day, Jatiya Party Chairman and Deputy Leader of the Opposition Golam Mohammad Quader said, "Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is not the sole property of any particular political party. He is the asset of the Bengali nation."
The Awami League is rather disrespecting Bangabandhu by trying to make him a party asset, he mentioned, adding, "Bangabandhu is the greatest Bengali of all time. This is because people of all religions, castes and communities of a nation got united under the leadership of Bangabandhu.
"At the same time, he inspired the people of the country. Leadership like Bangabandhu is rare in history. Therefore, the nation has no disagreement on the questions of Bangladesh, the Liberation War and Bangabandhu."
Quader further said that Bangabandhu was an undisputed leader of the Bengali nation. "He was not in any position of the state before Bangladesh's independence, but he ruled in the hearts of the masses. Therefore, even government employees followed Bangabandhu's instructions."
"The Liberation War was organised based on the name of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, not on any party," the Jatiya Party chairman observed.
'India shares grief of Bangladesh'
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Doraiswami paid respectful homage to the memory of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, saying India shares the grief ofBangladesh.
"We are inspired to protect the values Bangabandhu stood for," said the high commission through its official Twitter post.
The Indian high commissioner paid rich tributes to Bangladesh's founding father by placing a floral wreath at his portrait in Dhanmondi 32 in the morning on Sunday.