The National Mourning Day, commemorating the 45th anniversary of Bangabandhu’s tragic assassination, was observed across the country on Saturday (August 15).
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina placed wreaths at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi-32.
Bangabandhu was assassinated in a military putsch on August 15 in 1975, along with most of his family members. The predawn attacks left a total of 24 people killed.
The victims also include Bangabandhu's wife Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and nine-year-old Sheikh Russell, daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Parveen Jamal, brother Sheikh Naser, nephew Sheikh Fazlul Huq Moni and his wife Begum Arju Moni, brother-in-law Abdur Rab Serniabat, 13-year-old Baby Serniabat, Serniabat's son Arif and four-year-old grandson Babu, three guests, Bangabandhu's four domestic helps, and his security chief Col Jamil Uddin Ahmed.
Bangabandhu’s two daughters -- Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana -- could escape the bloodbath as they were abroad at the time.
The world protested and condemned the killing, saying it is an irreparable loss to millions of people of Bangladesh.
Like previous years, the government, Awami League and different political and socio-cultural organisations, educational institutions and professional groups chalked out elaborate programmes to pay the utmost respect to the greatest son of the soil on the day of his martyrdom.
The nation, however, started observing the month of mourning from August 1, recalling the most brutal killing in its history and renewing the pledge to safeguard perpetually the country's independence and sovereignty.
The government drew elaborate programmes to observe the Day with due respect and solemnity. As part of the programme, the national flag is flying half-mast atop the offices of all government, semi-government and autonomous bodies and educational institutions on the day.
The day is a public holiday.
Wreaths are being placed at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in the city and a munajat offered seeking eternal peace of the departed soul.
Wreaths were also placed at the graves of Bangabandhu’s martyred family members and other martyrs of August 15, 1975 at Banani Graveyard in the city while fateha and munajat offered at 7.30 am.
Wreaths are laid at the Mazar of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Tungipara in Gopalganj district. Fateha and special doa are being offered there.
To mark the National Mourning Day, special munajats are taking place at all mosques across the country. All temples, churches, pagodas and other places of worship are also seeing prayers.
Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television are airing special programmes in observance of the National Mourning day. National newspaper, magazines and news portals have published special issues on the occasion.
The ruling AL has drawn up an elaborate programme centrally to observe the National Mourning Day tomorrow to pay glowing tributes to Bangabandhu and other martyrs of August 15 massacre and take a pledge to work for nation building following the ideology of the father of the nation.
BDST: 1210 HRS, AUG 15, 2020
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