Mournful August 15: 49th martyrdom anniversary of Bangabandhu

Today is the mournful 15th of August, marking the 49th martyrdom anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. On this day in 1975, a group of misguided military officers brutally assassinated Bangabandhu and most of his family members at his residence in Dhanmondi. His two daughters, Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana, survived as they were abroad at the time.

While the day has been observed nationally during the 15-year rule of the Awami League, this year it is not being observed as a National Mourning Day. Following a student and public uprising, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned from her position and left the country on August 5th. Subsequently, on Tuesday (August 13), the interim government canceled the official holiday for National Mourning Day.

We solemnly remember Bangabandhu, the Bangamata (Mother of the Nation), and all those who were martyred on that fateful day. The massacre of August 15, 1975, marked the beginning of a reverse trend in Bangladesh, leading to the overthrow of the civilian government and ushering in an era of military rule. The assassination of Bangabandhu was a shock to the world, and a wave of intense grief and hatred spread across the globe.

After the assassination, attempts were made to mislead the country and its people. On September 26, 1975, self-declared President Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad issued the Indemnity Ordinance to protect the killers from trial. Later, in 1979, Ziaur Rahman approved this ordinance as law, rewarding the killers with lucrative government positions.

However, on November 14, 1996, the Indemnity Act was repealed, paving the way for justice. On January 15, 1997, the CID (Criminal Investigation Department) filed a charge sheet accusing 20 people. The trial began on March 12, 1997, with six of the accused present. Despite the delay, justice was eventually served after the ordinance was abolished.

Although the Awami League, now disconnected from public power since the fall of the government, cannot officially observe the day, they have announced a party-led program. The poster for the program reads, "From Grief to Strength: March to 32 (Dhanmondi)." Interestingly, the poster lacks the name of the publicity secretary and does not mention the event's time. Many Awami League leaders and activists have posted this on their Facebook pages.

Additionally, the Gopalganj district and Tungipara Awami League have announced that they will observe the day at Bangabandhu’s mausoleum in Tungipara with various programs. Leaders and activists from different districts are also preparing to commemorate Bangabandhu’s martyrdom anniversary. Several organizations, including the Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League (BAKSAL) and Udichi Shilpi Goshthi, have also announced mourning programs for the day.