Homage to Bangabandhu

Resolving to stand united against terrorism and militancy, the nation yesterday observed the National Mourning Day on the 41st death anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Paying tribute to Bangabandhu at the memorial plaque for the nation's founding father on Dhanmondi Road-32 in the capital and his grave in Tungipara of Gopalganj, mourners demanded that the fugitive killers of the great leader be brought back and punished to carry out the Supreme Court verdict.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, eldest daughter of Bangabandhu, stood in solemn silence in front of her father's grave. Most of her family members were also massacred on this day 41 years ago.

She placed wreaths at the grave and prayed for salvation of the departed souls.

Just before the prayers, Hasina drew younger sister Sheikh Rehana close to her. While offering prayers, the two surviving daughters of Bangabandhu could not hold back tears.

A smartly turned out contingent drawn from the three armed forces gave state salute while the bugle played the last post. The chiefs of the three services were present there.

Earlier in the morning, President Abdul Hamid and the premier paid tribute to the Father of the Nation at his memorial plaque in the capital's Dhanmondi Road-32.

Placing wreaths there, Hasina and Rehana spent nearly half an hour at Bangabandhu Bhaban that had witnessed one of the world's most brutal political killings in history and has been named Bangabandhu Memorial Museum.

In silence they sat at the staircase where the great leader was killed. They spread rose petals there. Hasina also recited verses from the holy Quran.

The two sisters then went to Banani Graveyard where other slain members of their family had been laid to rest. They then flew to Tungipara.

On August 15, 1975, Bangabandhu along with most of his family members were brutally murdered by a military clique. The two sisters survived as they were in West Germany.

The day's programme started with hoisting of the national flag at half-mast and raising of black flags atop public and private buildings, including Bangabandhu Bhaban, to show respect to the martyrs of August 15, 1975 carnage.

As the sun rose, the pavement of Dhanmondi Road-32 was covered by wreaths and bouquets. Thousands of mourners wearing black badges and carrying black flags paid tribute to Bangabandhu.

After Asr prayers, Bangladesh Mohila Awami League arranged a milad and doa mahfil in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, which was attended by Sheikh Hasina.

Other members of her family also joined the prayers.

Laying wreaths at Banani Graveyard, Awami League presidium member and Health Minister Mohammad Nasim called upon all to forge unity to resist anti-state conspiracy.

"We all have to be united to root out militancy and terrorism from the country," he told journalists.

Veteran AL leader and Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said his government was trying to bring back the fugitives killers of Bangabandhu from abroad. 

“A leader like Bangabandhu will never be born in Bangladesh in future," party's General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said.

A milad mahfil was also held at Darbar Hall of the Bangabhaban, which was attended by President Abdul Hamid.

State-run Bangladesh Betar, BTV and private TV channels broadcast special programmes while newspapers brought out special supplements highlighting the life, struggle and achievements of Bangabandhu.

The AL and its associated bodies distributed food among destitute people across the country. Bangabandhu's speeches and patriotic songs were played on loudspeakers. Moreover, black billboards, banners and posters were put up across the country commemorating Bangabandhu.

Marking the day, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University provided free treatment to 5,675 patients. Some 200 specialist physicians gave the free service.

Bangladesh Bar Council at its office organised a discussion and a feeding programme for the poor.

Islamic Foundation at its auditorium at Baitul Mukarram organised a discussion and dua mehfil.

Addressing the programme, AL Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif said the defeated forces of 1971 were still active and were involved in acts of terrorism and militancy in the name of religion. 

“They [defeated forces] want to destabilise the country by unleashing terrorism and militancy. We all have to remain alert to their evil acts,” he added.

The ruling AL would hold a discussion marking the day at Krishibid Institution in the city's Farmgate area today. Hasina, the AL president, will preside over the programme.