The nation observes the National Mourning Day on Monday recalling the August 15, 1975 carnage when the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was killed along with most of his family members.
On the night of August 15, not only Bangabandhu, the greatest Bangalee of all time, but also his wife Fazilatunnessa Mujib, sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell and daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal were killed. Sixteen other dear and near ones of the late leader , including his brother Sheikh Naser, brother-in-law Abdur Rab Serniabat, nephew Sheikh Fazlul Haq Moni and his wife Arzu Moni, Baby Serniabat, Sukanta Babu, Arif, Abdul Nayeem Khan Rintu and Military Secretary Colonel Jamil were also killed on the same night.
Bangabandhu’s daughters, incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Sheikh Rehana, survived the carnage as they were in Germany.
The whole nation as well as the global communities became speechless at the killings which had in fact been identified as the blackest chapter in the history of Bangladesh. The global leaders strongly condemned the gruesome incident.
President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in separate messages on the occasion paid rich tributes to the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The government has chalked out various programmes to observe the 36th martyrdom anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and National Mourning Day on August 15 in a befitting manner.
As per the programmes, the national flag would be hoisted at half-mast at sunrise at government, semi- government and autonomous organizations, educational institutions and private buildings.
The national flag would also be hoisted at half-mast at Bangladesh missions abroad. Their programmes on the day will include discussion meetings.
The President and the Prime Minister will place wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Dhanmondi Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at 6:30 am on the day. The armed forces will present a guard of honour, and a special ‘munajat’ will be offered on the occasion.
The Prime Minister will place wreaths at the graves of family members of the Father of the Nation and other martyrs at Banani Graveyard at 7:30 am.
She will place wreaths at the grave of Father of the Nation at Tungipara at 10 am. The armed forces will present a guard of honour and a special munajat will be offered.
Milad mahfils and munajats after Zohr prayers will be held at mosques, while prayers will be held at temples, churches and other places of worship on the day. Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private TV channels and radio stations will air special programmes and newspapers will publish special supplements marking the day.
Besides, posters would be distributed and documentary on Bangabandhu will be screened in different areas.
The information and cultural affairs ministries and other ministries, departments and agencies would observe their respective programmes.
District and upazila administrations will observe the day through discussion meetings, milad mahfils and other programmes in conformity with the national programmes.
Awami League and several others political and socio-cultural and professional organizations have chalked out elaborate programmes, including mass prayers, placing wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhaka and elsewhere and discussions to mark the day. As part of its month-long activities, Awami League has announced elaborate programmes for August 15 and 16.
On August 15, national flag and party flag would be hoisted at half-mast along with raising black flag at Bangabandhu Bhaban and the AL central office and all other offices of the party across the country at sunrise.
Prime Minister and AL president Sheikh Hasina along with cabinet members and central leaders of the party would place wreaths at the mazar of Bangabandhu at Tungipara and at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Bangabandhu Bhaban in Dhaka.
Wreaths would also be placed and Fateha and milad mahfil held at Banani Graveyard at 7:30 am. Iftar mahfil would be held at ward, union, upazila and district levels and special prayers at temples, pagodas and churches.
On August 16, the AL will hold a discussion meeting at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre at 3 pm. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the meeting as the chief guest.
All district committees and associate organisations have also drawn up programmes in conformity with the AL programmes.
Awami League General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam urged the party leaders, activists, supporters, well-wishers and leaders of associate bodies to observe the mourning day with due respect and solemnity.
Courtesy of The Independent