Historic Mujibnagar Day today

Desk Report: The nation is observing the historic Mujibnagar Day today (Wednesday) marking the oath-taking ceremony of country’s first government on April 17, 1971.

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday issued separate messages, recalling the day.

In his message President Abdul Hamid said under the leadership of the exile Mujibnagar government, the country had achieved the great independence through a nine-month armed struggle on December 16, 1971.

For the formation of the government of the exile Mujibnagar government, he said, the world community had extended their support and cooperation to the Bangali nation who struggled for independence of the country.

The President expected that the present generation would be able to know the real history of the Liberation War through observing the historic day.

The first government of the independent Bangladesh had taken oath at Boidhyanathtala in Meherpur along with endorsing the proclamation of theindependence, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her message, adding that the historic place was recognised as Mujibnagar from that day.

They also recalled the memory of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and four national leaders with due respect and prayed for eternal peace of their departed souls.

The ruling Awami League (AL) has chalked out elaborated programme to mark the historic Mujibnagar Day.

As part of the programme, the national and party flags was hoisted at Bangabandhu Bhaban in the capital and party offices across the country around 6 am.

Party leaders and workers placed wreaths at the portrait of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Bhaban in city’s Dhanmondi area around 7 am.

The programmes at Mujibnagar include hoisting of national flag at 6:30 am, placing wreath at Mujibnagar Memorial at 11 am and holding of discussion followed by a cultural function at Sheikh Hasina Mancha around 5pm.

AL Presidium Member and convener of Historic Mujibnagar Day observance Engineer Mosharraf Hossain would preside over the discussion while AL Advisory Council member Amir Hossain Amu is expected to be the chief guest.
Besides, ministers, renowned personalities, leaders and freedom fighters will look over a parade to be displayed by BGB, police, Ansar and VDP, scouts and school students at Mujibnagar, said a press release.

AL Acting general secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif called upon all to make the programme a success.

Different government and non-government organisations have also taken programmes to observe the day.

Important government establishments would be illuminated.

Newspapers have published special supplements while Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television and private TV channels are airing different special programmes highlighting significance of the day.

Bangladesh missions abroad will also chalk out relevant programmes to mark the day.

Following the Pakistan army’s genocide on unarmed Bangalees started on the black night of March 25 in 1971, senior leaders of Awami League assembled
at Baidyanathtala in Meherpur on April 17 to form the provisional government
of independent Bangladesh.

Baidyanathtala, mainly a mango orchard, was later named Mujibnagar after ceremonial formation of the provisional government of Bangladesh.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was declared the first president of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, while Syed Nazrul Islam was appointed
the acting president in the absence of Bangabandhu.

Tajuddin Ahmed was appointed as the first prime minister, while Khondoker Moshtaque Ahmed, Capt M Mansur Ali and AHM Qamaruzzaman were named as cabinet members.

The interim government named General MAG Osmani as Commander-in-Chief of Mukti Bahini while appointed Major General Abdur Rob as chief of staff.

The provisional government gave successful leadership to the War of Liberation for achieving victory on December 16.


risingbd/Dhaka/April 17, 2019/Mukul