August 15 marks a black chapter in the history of this country—a day when the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, along with almost his entire family except his two daughters--Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana--was killed by a despicable group of people.
The day is a black day in the history of Bangladesh, observed in pain and sorrow.
This year’s National Mourning Day marks the 46th martyrdom anniversary of the Father of the Nation.
Bangabandhu, who fought for an independent Bangladesh from his youth, lost his life in a brutal assassination within three and a half years of the liberation of the country.
Bangabandhu’s cabinet member Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad had planned the assassination with some disgruntled army men, which conspiracy was carried out on the fateful night of August 15, 1975. This carnage is deemed the ugliest chapter in the nation’s history.
The self-confessed killers of August 15 did not assassinate Bangabandhu alone, but also killed 16 other members of his family, friends and relatives.
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The martyrs include Bangabandhu’s wife Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, his sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell, daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal, brother Sheikh Naser, brother-in-law Abdur Rab Serniabat, nephew and eminent journalist Sheikh Fazlul Huq Moni, his pregnant wife Arzoo Moni and Colonel Jamil.
Programs planned for the day
The government has planned elaborate programs to observe the 46th martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Mourning Day with due respect and solemnity and through maintaining health guidelines.
As part of the programs, the national flag will be hoisted at half-mast atop all government, semi-government, autonomous, educational institutions and private offices on the day.
Wreaths will be placed at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhaka and prayers will be conducted there at 6.30am.
The president and the prime minister will pay homage to the architect of the nation’s independence by placing wreaths at the portrait.
A guard of honour will be presented by the Armed Forces and prayers will also be offered.
Floral wreaths will also be placed at the graves of Bangabandhu’s martyred family members and other martyrs of August 15, 1975 at Banani Graveyard and prayers will be offered there at 7.30am.
Wreaths will be laid at the grave of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Tungipara, Gopalganj, at around 10am. Special prayers will also be offered there by maintaining physical distancing.
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To mark National Mourning Day, special munajat will also be offered at all mosques across the country after Zuhr prayers, while special prayers will take place at all temples, churches, pagodas and other places of worship at convenient times.
Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television will air special programs in observance of National Mourning Day and national newspapers and magazines will publish special supplements on the occasion.
The Posts and Telecommunications Division will send SMSs through the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to all mobile users dwelling on the significance of the day.
Bangabandhu Memorial Museum will organize a lecture on the life of Bangabandhu and National Mourning Day, using virtual platforms at the request of educational institutions and Shishu Academy.
Discussions, poetry recitation, composition, painting competitions, painting exhibitions, hamd-naat and dua mahfil will be arranged at all public and private primary schools, higher secondary schools, madrasahs, colleges, medical colleges and other educational institutions, including universities.
In line with the national programs, different ministries and divisions, departments and agencies, including the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, the Ministry of Social Welfare, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, and the Medical Education And Family Welfare Division will hold various programs at their respective institutions, maintaining social distancing and health guidelines.
In accordance with the national programs, district and upazila administrations have drawn up their respective programs, including discussions and dua-mahfil, to commemorate National Mourning Day.
The use of virtual platforms will get priority in holding the programs and government officials have been directed to join the programs at district and upazila levels.
Bangladesh missions abroad will also hoist the national flag at half-mast and organize discussions marking the day.
