On this day in 1975, Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana, the two daughters of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, spoke to their mother for the last time before the brutal assassination of their family.
The self-confessed killers of August 15 not only assassinated Bangabandhu alone, but also killed 16 other members of his family, friends and relatives.
That included Bangamata Begum Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell, daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal, Bangabandhu's brother Sheikh Naser, brother-in-law Abdur Rab Serniabat, nephew and eminent journalist Sheikh Fazlul Huq Moni, his pregnant wife Arzoo Moni, and military secretary Colonel Jamil.
Only, Bangabandhu's two daughters – Sheikh Hasina, today prime minister of Bangladesh, and Sheikh Rehana – escaped the carnage as they were visiting Germany at the time.
On August 13, 1975, Sheikh Hasina called her mother from Germany.
During their conversation, Fazilatunnesa Mujib told her elder daughter to come back soon.
When Sheikh Hasina asked if anything had happened, Mrs Mujib replied: “Your father needs you. It is not possible to say everything over the phone.”
Sheikh Hasina became anxious after the phone call, according to the historical record.
Later, Sheikh Rehana talked to Bangabandhu and said: “I want to come back to Bangladesh. I am not feeling well.”
In reply, Bangabandu laughed and said: “I have told you already. I am making arrangements to send you tickets. Don’t worry.”
In her book “Janasomudre Ek Mohamanab”, Sheikh Rehana wrote: “It was the last time I talked to my father.”
Bangabandhu’s killer Syed Farooq Rahman and the conspirator Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad both met Bangabandhu on that day as well.
Mostaq met Bangabandhu at his house. He was very much affectionate with Sheikh Russel, the youngest son of Mujib, at the last meeting, says LA Khatib in his book “Who Killed Mujib”.
Bangabandhu was not much concerned about his security. However, he instructed a deployment of security forces at Abdur Razzaq and Sheikh Moni’s homes on August 13.
Bangabandhu said to Razzaq: “You need police protection at your house. I have already ordered that police be deployed at Sheikh Moni’s house. Both of you have to be more cautious. Your lives are in danger.”
Reminiscing on the conversation with Bangabandhu, Razzaq said: “Mujib warned all of us but personally he did not get any additional protection. Probably the intelligence agencies informed Mujib Bhai about the threats to our lives to divert his mind,” writes Khatib in his book.
