The 40th anniversary of death of the founding father of the nation and most members of his family was observed across the country yesterday when people of all spheres demanded that the six fugitive killers now staying abroad be brought back and executed at the soonest.
The government, ruling party Awami League and different socio-cultural, political and professional bodies organised elaborate programmes to pay their homage to the greatest Bangali of all time.
The national flag was flown at half-mast at all government, semi-government and autonomous offices, educational institutions, private buildings and Bangladesh missions abroad.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated in a bloody coup along with his family members and relatives at his Dhanmondi 32 residence on August 15, 1975 by a group of disgruntled army officers. The murders set the stage for decades of military rule when the killers had enjoyed diplomatic privileges and political rehabilitation.
President Abdul Hamid and Premier Sheikh Hasina placed floral wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Dhanmondi 32 and stood in solemn silence for some time in the morning. A contingent of the Armed Forces gave a state salute and bugle played the last post.
Later, flanked by her senior party colleagues, Hasina, also the head of the Awami League, placed another wreath at the portrait on behalf of the party.
In front of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, Bangladesh Mahila Awami League arranged milad and doa mahfil. The premier and her family members joined the event.
From there, Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana went to Banani Graveyard and paid respect to their mother Fazilatunnesa Mujib, brothers Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russel and other martyrs of the August 15 carnage.
The prime minister then went to Tungipara at the shrine of Bangabandhu and placed floral wreath there. The chiefs of the three services also gave salute to the father of the nation.
The speaker placed wreaths at the grave of Bangabandhu followed by the central leaders of the party. Supporters of AL’s different associated bodies and several socio-political organisations also placed floral wreaths there.
A milad mahfil was organised at Bangabhaban, the president’s office and residence, said UNB. President Abdul Hamid attended the event held at the Darbar Hall after Asr prayers.
Meanwhile, Sangbadik Samaj, a journalist platform, organised an all-religion prayer meeting in the capital seeking salvation of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and other victims. Verses from holy religious scriptures the Qur’an, Bible, Gita and the Tripitaka were recited.
A portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib was installed on the National Press Club premises, for the first time since the country’s independence.
Awami League General Secretary and also Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam said that the death sentences of all the killers would surely be executed.
“The government is trying its best to bring the fugitives back. The process is on and none of killers will be spared,” he said at the Banani Graveyard.
On the other hand, Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith paying homage to Bangabandhu in Sylhet, said that the highest tribute would be paid to him by implementing his ideology and building a “Sonar Bangla” as dreamt by the great leader.
“Bangabandhu dreamt of a poverty-free and non-communal Sonar Bangla. He was a friend of the people of Bangla.”