Friday marks the historic Mujibnagar Government Formation Day, commemorating the establishment of Bangladesh’s first government in exile in 1971—a pivotal step in organizing the Liberation War.
On April 10, 1971, the provisional government—later known as the Mujibnagar Government—was formed based on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s declaration of independence on March 26 and the mandate of the 1970 general election.
The government was formally sworn in on April 17 at Baidyanathtala in Meherpur.
Bangabandhu was declared president and commander-in-chief of the Liberation War, while Syed Nazrul Islam served as acting president in his absence.
Tajuddin Ahmed assumed office as prime minister, leading the wartime administration.
On the same day, Professor M Yusuf Ali read out the Declaration of Independence, which served as an interim constitution guiding the government during the war.
Formed under extraordinary circumstances, the government coordinated military resistance, diplomatic efforts and international support.
The Mujibnagar Government is widely regarded as the political and constitutional foundation of Bangladesh’s independence struggle, transforming the movement into an organized state-led war.
