August, the month of mourning begins

Aminul Islam: The first day of the Month of Mourning in commemoration of the gruesome murder of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members in the August 15 carnage has begun.

An eerie silence engulfed the entire nation on the 15th day of this month in 1975, as the nation along with the rest of the world witnessed the cruellest and bloodiest political massacre of contemporary history. A journey to backwardness started since the assassination, which continued at least for 21 years.

On the fateful night of August 15 in 1975, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with most of his family members were assassinated at his Dhanmondi Road-32 residence in the capital in a military putsch carried out by a group of disgruntled army officers.

The August 15 carnage not only claimed the life of Bangabandhu but also the lives of his wife Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnessa Mujib, sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and 10-year-old Sheikh Russell and his daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal.

Some 16 members of Bangabandhu`s family, including his brother Sheikh Naser, bother-in-law Abdur Rab Serniabat, nephew and noted journalist Sheikh Fazlul Huq Moni, his pregnant wife Arzoo Moni and Colonel Jamil were killed in the mayhem.

However, both the daughters of Bangabandhu -Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana -escaped the carnage as they were abroad. Since the mayhem, Awami League, its associate bodies and other like-minded pro-liberation parties, social, cultural and professionals` organizations have been observing the day as the National Mourning Day.

The August 15 has been observed as the National Mourning Day since assumption of office by the Awami League government on June 23, 1996.

This year, the day will be observed as the 40th anniversary of the martyrdom of Bangabandhu. Ruling Awami League has chalked out a 40-day programme with due importance.

The party announced the programme in a statement earlier. AL said that the party, its associate, likeminded and friendly bodies will organise programmes from the early hours of August 1 to September 9.

Besides, many other organisations have chalked out month-long elaborate programmes marking the worst-ever brutality in the history of independent Bangladesh.

In the early hours of August 1, Awami League will bring out a candle light procession on the Road-32 of Dhanmondi marching towards the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, where the brutalities occurred in 40-year ago.

Central leaders of Awami League including its advisers, leaders of its different units and associate organisations will lay floral wreaths at the shrine of Bangabandhu at Tungipara of Gopalganj at noon. Special prayers will be offered for peace of the departed soul of Bangabandhu and others.  

Bangladesh Krisak League will arrange a blood donation camp and discussion meeting at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at 4:30pm. Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate it.  

National Democratic League and NAP (Bhasani) will jointly organise a mourning procession in front of the National Press Club marking the beginning of August, the month of mourning.

In observance of the occasion, Bangla Academy will organize a "Public Lecture` to be delivered by Professor Emeritus Dr Anisuzzaman at Poet Shamsur Rahman Seminar room Saturday at 5:00pm.

risingbd/DHAKA/August 01, 2015/Aminul/Mukul