Historic Mujibnagar Day today

The historic Mujibnagar Day is being observed today (Friday) marking the oath-taking ceremony of country’s first government on April 17, 1971.

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve of the day recalling the historic event.

On the eve of the day, Awami League General Secretary ObaidulQuaderhas urged the party men and the people to observe the historic Mujibnagar Day staying at homes.

In the wake of novel coronavirus outbreak that has already claimed 60 lives in Bangladesh and over 1,38,000 across the globe, the ruling Awami League (AL) earlier cancelled all programmes of the day.

Different government and non-government organisations also cancelled their programmes. Marking the day, important government establishments are illuminated but this year such events were cancelled.

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

Dhaka/Mukul