DHAKA, April 17, 2018 (BSS) – The nation today observed the historic Mujibnagar Day with a pledge to let the new generations know the real history of the Liberation War and make the people reap the benefits of democracy.
The Mujibnagar Day was observed through different programmes across the country highlighting significance of the memories of this day in 1971 when the nation witnessed the oath-taking of the country’s first government.
On the occasion of the day, on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in the city this morning.
Flanked by central leaders of the AL, he also placed another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of his party.
Awami League Presidium Members Begum Matia Chowdhury and Abdul Matin Khasru, Organizing Secretaries Ahmed Hossain and AKM Enamul Haque Shamim, Information and Research Secretary Afzal Hossain, Office Secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap and Relief and Social Welfare Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi were present on the occasion, among others.
Later, the leaders of AL’s associate bodies, including Dhaka City North and South units of AL, Jubo League, Chhatra League, Mohila Awami League and Jubo Mohila League, laid wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu.
Earlier, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages yesterday (Monday) recalling the able leadership, proper directives and war strategies of the Mujibnagar Government to take the 1971 Liberation War towards its successful culmination.
The government took elaborate programmes in Mujibnagar and capital Dhaka to mark the day.
The programme began with the hoisting of the national flag at dawn atop the memorial monument at Mujibnagar.
The other programmes of the day included placing of wreaths at the memorial monument and presenting guard of honour and parade by police, Ansar-VDP, BNCC and Girls’ Guide members.
A discussion was held at the Sheikh Hasina Mancha at Mujibnagar this morning. Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu addressed it as the chief guest with Health and Family Welfare Minister and Awami League Presidium Member Mohammed Nasim in the chair.
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, Awami League Joint General Secretaries Mahbub-ul Alam Hanif and Abdur Rahman, Organizing Secretary Abu Sayeed Al Mamun Shawpan, Labour Affairs Secretary Habibur Rahman Siraj, Deputy Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, members to the central committee Md Amirul Islam Milon and Parvin Zaman Kalpana, former state minister for Liberation War Affairs Captain (Rtd) ABM Tazul Islam, Jatiya Sangsad Whip Solaiman Haque Joarder, local lawmaker Abdul Hai, Meherpur District AL’s President Farhad Hossain, Mujibnagar Upazila AL’s President Zia Uddin Bishwas addressed the function, among others.
Meherpur District AL General Secretary Abdul Khaleque conducted the discussion.
Addressing the meeting, Amir Hossain Amu said the next parliamentary election will be held like in other democratic countries of the world.
The AL president (Sheikh Hasina) has been recognized as a successful state leader, he said, adding that she earned 27 international awards for changing the fate of the countrymen and upgrading the country to a middle-income one. Mohammed Nasim, in his presidential speech, said the next national polls will be held in the month of victory, December, and it will be held as per the constitution.
He urged all to vote for AL in the next polls.
Later, a cultural function was staged in the afternoon were leading artistes of the country performed while special fireworks featured the day’s programmes.
Different political parties and social and cultural organizations also chalked out programmes marking the day.
Bangabandhu Parishad organized a discussion at the conference lounge of Jatiya Press Club with Advisory Council Member of AL and General Secretary of the Parishad Dr SM Malek in the chair.
Dhaka University authorities also held a discussion at Teacher-Student Center auditorium on the campus to mark the day.
DU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Akhtaruzzaman presided over the discussion while Pro-VC Professor Nasreen Ahmad and Treasurer Professor Kamal Uddin addressed it, among others.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) also observed the Mujibnagar Day in a befitting manner here today.
Marking the day, BSMMU acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Shahidullah Sikder along with teachers and students of the university paid rich tributes to Bangabandhu by placing a wreath at his portrait on the campus. Besides, different district towns and upazilas and Bangladeshi missions abroad organised various programmes on the day.
The day was also observed in Chattagram, Rajshahi, Gaibandha, Pabna, Jamalpur, Sherpur, Mymensingh, Netrokona, Dinajpur, Sylhet, Joypurhat and Khulna.
On April 17, 47 years back, the tiny mango grove-covered village of Baidyanathtala witnessed the swearing-in ceremony of the provisional government of Bangladesh and millions of freedom-loving people listened to the announcement of the formation of the government over radio.
Following Pakistan army’s dastardly attack on unarmed people at the night of March 25-26 in 1971, the first government of independent People’s Republic of Bangladesh was formed on April 10 in 1971 comprising the elected representatives with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as its President, Syed Nazrul Islam as Vice-President and Tajuddin Ahmed as Prime Minister.
On April 10, the elected representatives firmly supported and approved the declaration of independence by Bangabandhu on March 26, 1971 and issued formal proclamation of independence.
In absence of Bangabandhu, who was arrested after declaration of country’s independence at the night of March 25 and kept in a jail in the then West Pakistan during the whole period of liberation war, Vice President Syed Nazrul Islam was entrusted with the charge of Acting President.
The government was sworn in on April 17, 1971 in a ceremony at a mango-grove in Baidyanathtala under Meherpur, which later was renamed as Mujibnagar.
A day after the swearing-in ceremony the portfolios of the government was distributed when M Mansur Ali was given the charge of minister for finance, commerce and industry, AHM Quamaruzzaman was given the charge of minister for home, relief, rehabilitation and agriculture and Khondker Mushtaque Ahmed was made the foreign minister.
Mushtaque, however, was virtually made dysfunctional in the subsequent months as his stance against the independence appeared clear to the government.
The Mujibnagar Government led the war of liberation in 1971 and freed the country from the clutches of Pakistani occupation forces on December 16 the same year, fighting a nine-month-long war.