Today, the nation marks the Imprisonment Day of Awami League (AL) President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with various observances.
Sheikh Hasina was arrested from her Sudha Sadan residence in Dhanmondi on July 16, 2007, during the tenure of the military-backed caretaker government that came to power following the political upheaval of 1/11 in 2007. Since then, the Awami League and its associate bodies have commemorated this day as the “Imprisonment Day of Sheikh Hasina.”
After being detained for nearly 11 months, Sheikh Hasina was released from the special sub-jail set up on the Jatiya Sangsad (parliament) premises on June 11, 2008. During her imprisonment, her health deteriorated, prompting widespread calls for her release to receive better medical treatment abroad.
The demands for her release grew louder from various quarters, including the Awami League and its associate organizations. The caretaker government, bowing to the people’s spontaneous and persistent demands, ultimately freed Sheikh Hasina. At that time, the Dhaka City unit of AL collected signatures from 2.5 million people, which were presented to the caretaker government to pressure for her release.
Her release was seen as a pivotal moment, restoring the democratic rights of the people and paving the way for the simultaneous flourishing of democracy and development in Bangladesh.
To commemorate the day, the Awami League and its affiliated organizations have planned various programs, including discussions, milad, and doa-mahfils, to honor the resilience and leadership of Sheikh Hasina during her captivity and subsequent release.
This observance serves as a reminder of the struggles faced and overcome in the pursuit of democracy and the role of Sheikh Hasina in steering the nation through challenging times.
