Why is there negligence in establishing the Mujibnagar Liberation War Memorial Center

Every year on April 17, we remember the Mujibnagar Government. In 1971, during the Liberation War, the first government of Bangladesh took oath at Baidyanath Tala in Meherpur. Later, the place was named Mujibnagar in honor of the founding father of independent Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The proposal for establishing the 'Mujibnagar Liberation War Memorial Center' was put forward by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs. Although the project was proposed in 2021, no work has started on it yet. According to sources from the ministry, it has been learned that the implementation period of the proposed project, which was put forward to the Planning Commission in 2021, was set from January 1, 2021, to June 30, 2024. This means that there are only two months left until the deadline for the implementation of the project ends. In the proposed and precarious situation, the project has almost exhausted its implementation deadline.

According to a news published on April 17, it has been learned that a meeting was held yesterday (April 16) at the Mujibnagar Tourism Motel regarding the project. The meeting decided on necessary steps to expedite the approval and initiation of the project. District information officer Abdullah Al Mamun provided this information. The Chief Guest at the meeting was Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque.
According to reports in the media, the implementing agency for the project is Public Works Department (PWD). The estimated expenditure for the project is Tk 409 crore 9 lakh 86 thousand. Project-related individuals are saying that once the proposed project is completed, it will transform the image of Mujibnagar. Just by looking at Mujibnagar, the entire picture of the Liberation War will come alive before the eyes of tourists.

The proposed project includes the bronze casting of the national leaders, including the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the bronze casting of the oath-taking of the Mujibnagar government, the Sheikh Hasina podium, and the construction of a diorama depicting the events of the Liberation War. The project also includes the construction of a chronological history gallery related to the Language Movement and the events of the Liberation War, the establishment of a sculpture park, and the installation of murals and paintings. Additionally, various facilities such as schools, playgrounds, swimming pools, and parking lots have been mentioned to be ensured in the project.

According to media reports, currently, 1,100 trees survive in the historic mango grove of Mujibnagar. Due to lack of care, more than a hundred trees have died. The Mujibnagar mango grove is renowned, and if more than a hundred trees are lost due to neglect, it easily indicates the extent of negligence in the area. But why this negligence? Neglecting Mujibnagar is, in a way, neglecting the essence of the liberation war itself. When the present government is placing so much emphasis on preserving the history of the liberation war, this kind of negligence is unacceptable in any form.

Mujibnagar is a place of utmost significance in our liberation movement. On March 7, 1971, Bangabandhu declared the "Declaration of Independence," which culminated in the formation of Bangladesh's first government taking oath on April 17. Through this, the entire world was clearly informed that Bangladesh is now an independent state. The historical significance of this place makes it absolutely imperative not to neglect it in any way. Establishing the Mujibnagar Liberation War Memorial Center can help preserve the history of independent Bangladesh for future generations. Upon implementation of the project, both domestic and international tourism to the area is expected to increase. People will be able to witness the history of that day with their own eyes. Therefore, we demand that the project be implemented as soon as possible.