Prime minister and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana stand in solemn silence after placing a wreath at the grave of the country’s founding president, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, at Tungipara in Gopalganj on Tuesday, marking his 42nd death anniversary. — BSS photo
The nation observed the National Mourning Day on Tuesday with due respect, marking the 42nd anniversary of the martyrdom of Bangladesh’s founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
President Abdul Hamid and prime minister Sheikh Hasina led the nation in paying deep homage to the Sheikh Mujib by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road 32 in the morning.
After placing the wreaths, they stood in solemn silence for some time showing respect to the great leader.
A smartly turned out contingent of armed forces gave state salute at that time, while the bugle played the tune of grief and sombre to the last post.
A munajat was offered seeking the eternal peace of the departed souls of the August 15 carnage.
Sheikh Rehana, the youngest daughter of Sheikh Mujib, speaker of parliament Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, chief justice SK Sinha, cabinet members, prime minister’s advisers, senior leaders of Awami League and 14-party alliance and senior government officials were present.
Later, Sheikh Hasina, also president of Awami League, flanked by party’s general secretary Obaidul Quader and senior leaders, placed wreaths at the portrait of Sheikh Mujib on behalf of the party.
After paying the tributes to Sheikh Mujib, the prime minister along with her sister Sheikh Rehana visited the historic residence of Sheikh Mujib at Dhanmondi Road 32, which witnessed the carnage on the day 42 years ago.
After their departure, people from all walks of life wearing black badges paid homage to the Sheikh Mujib by placing wreaths at his portrait there.
The prime minister also placed a floral wreath at the grave of the great leader at Tungipara in Gopalganj on the occasion.
She also attended a milad and doa mahfil arranged by Mohila Awami League after asr prayers in front of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in the capital.
A milad and doa mahfil was held at Bangabhaban after johr prayers attended by president Abdul Hamid.
Different socio-cultural, political and professional organisations also observed the day with elaborate programmes.
Sheikh Mujib was assassinated along with most of his family members at the crack of dawn on August 15, 1975 by a cabal of unruly army personnel under a deep-rooted conspiracy against the country and its independence.
His two daughters — Sheikh Hasina, now the prime minister, and Sheikh Rehana — survived the barbaric carnage as they were abroad at that time.
Eighteen members of Sheikh Mujib’s family, including wife Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, three sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell, two daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal, brother Sheikh Naser, peasant leader Abdur Rob Serniabat, youth leader Sheikh Fazlul Haq Moni and his wife Arzu Moni, Baby Serniabat, Sukanta Babu, Arif and Abdul Nayeem Khan Rintu, were killed on the fateful night.
The founding president’s military secretary colonel Jamil was also killed. Some members of a family at Mohammadpur in the capital were killed by artillery shells fired by the killers on the same day.
The national flag was kept half-mast at all government, semi-government and autonomous bodies, educational institutions, private buildings and Bangladesh missions abroad.
Food was distributed among orphans and destitute people at noon.
Besides, Awami League will arrange a discussion at the city’s Bangabandhu International Conference Centre at 4:00pm on Wednesday where Awami League president Sheikh Hasina will be present as chief guest.
State-run Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television as well as private television channels and radio stations aired special programmes highlighting the life, struggle and achievements of the great leader while newspapers brought out supplements on the occasion.
