Mujibnagar Day today

Staff Correspondent: The nation is observing the historic Mujibnagar Day today (April 17) in a befitting manner commemorating the formation of the provisional government of independent Bangladesh in exile during the War of Liberation in 1971.

On this day in 1971, the provisional Bangladesh government in exile named "Mujibnagar Government" was constituted with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the President, Syed Nazul Islam as vice president, Tajuddin Ahmed, Prime Minister, Khondokar Mostaque Ahmed, Foreign Minister, Captain M Mansur Ali, Finance Minister and AHM Quamaruzzaman, Home and Relief Minister.

In the absence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was arrested after declaration of country`s independence on the night of March 25 and kept in a jail in the then West Pakistan during the whole period of liberation war, Syed Nazrul Islam was chosen as the acting president of the provisional Bangladesh government.

Following Pakistan army`s dastardly attack on unarmed people on the night of March 25-26 in 1971, the senior leaders of Awami League assembled at the mango grove at Baidyanathtala under Meherpur sub-division in Kushtia district on April 17 to form the provisional government of independent Bangladesh.

Colonel (later General) MAG Osmani was made the Commander-in-Chief of the "Mukti Bahini" while Major General Abdur Rob was appointed as the Chief of Staff by the government in exile.

The Mujibnagar Government led the war of liberation in 1971 and freed the country from the clutches of the Pakistani occupation forces on December 16 the same year fighting a nine-month-long war.

On the eve of the historic day, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have sent separate messages.

Different political parties, socio-cultural-professional bodies and government and non-government organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day.

Bangladesh missions abroad are also organising programmes to mark the day.

The national dailies have published special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and other private television channels and radio stations are airing special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.

The ruling Awami League has chalked out an elaborate programme to mark the historic Mujibnagar Day in the capital Dhaka and in Mujibnagar.

risingbd/DHAKA/April 17, 2015/Mukul