Month of mourning begins today

August, the month of mourning begins today for the nation to recall once again the brutal assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The killing of Father of the Nation and most of his family members on the fateful night of August 15, 1975 is the ugliest chapter of the nation’s history.

The family members included Bangamata Begum 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.

Bangabandhu’s daughters Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana escaped the assassination as they were in Germany.

Different political and socio-cultural organisations have chalked out month-long programmes marking the occasion.

This year, the nation will observe National Mourning Day and the 44th anniversary of martyrdom of Bangabandhu.

Awami Swechchasebak League will start with a torch procession on Dhaka streets marching towards Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi in the early hours today, General Secretary Pankaj Devnath told the news agency yesterday.

Meanwhile, a blood donation programme will be organised by Krishak League in Dhanmondi at 3pm today.

At dawn on August 15, the national flag and party flag will be kept at half-mast while black flag will be hoisted at Bangabandhu Bhaban in the capital and all other offices of the party across the country.

Different ministries and departments, directorates and agencies, all city corporations, district councils, municipalities and union councils will organise various programmes at their respective institutions this month.