Days after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country, the interim government decided it would no longer observe August 15 as a national mourning day, a public holiday that commemorated the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, father of Sheikh Hasina.
The decision was announced on Monday based on a consensus between the council of advisers and political parties at Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus's office. Representatives from all student organisations, except the student wing of Awami League, agreed in writing not to observe August 15 as National Mourning Day.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is credited with being the "architect of Bangladesh" and the first President of independent Bangladesh. Instrumental in the formation of the country, Mujibur Rahman was killed along with most of his family members in 1975 by a group of Bangladesh Army personnel.
Hasina was not in Bangladesh during the assassination and she lived in India for six years before returning home. Hasina later went on to become the elected leader of the Awami League, a party founded by her father.
Home Affairs Adviser Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain had told reporters that despite this, a heavy posse of police personnel will be deployed on August 15 to maintain order. "We will ensure that no one causes any disruption. The security measures will be comprehensive, with the police, BGB, RAB, and possibly the Army, all present," Hossain was quoted by Dhaka Tribune.
This comes as Sheikh Hasina broke her silence for the first time since the incident and in a statement appealed to the people of Bangladesh to observe the National Mourning Day on 15th August with due dignity and solemnity. "Pray for the salvation of all souls by offering floral garlands and praying at Bangabandhu Bhaban," her statement said.
#BREAKING #Bangladesh In Bangladesh, protesters toppled the statue of Mujibur Rahman, the country's first leader and Sheikh Hasina's father, who fled the country yesterday.
— The National Independent (@NationalIndNews) August 6, 2024
During the riots, arsonists set fire to the Zabeer International Hotel in Jessore, killing 24 people and… pic.twitter.com/Z6ykQp2AD6
She also hit out at those rallying against her, and condemned the destruction of the Bangladesh founder and her father’s museum. "They insulted the blood of millions of martyrs. I want justice from the countrymen," she said.
An angry mob had set a museum dedicated to Bangabandhu on fire. The museum was originally Bangbandhu's private residence, where he was killed along with his family members in a military coup.
