On the solemn occasion of the 48th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid a heartfelt tribute by placing a wreath at his mausoleum in Tungipara. This poignant gesture also marked the National Mourning Day, an event of deep significance for the nation.
Following the wreath-laying ceremony, a moment of profound silence was observed by the prime minister, underscoring her deep respect for the visionary leader who played a pivotal role in securing the nation’s independence. It was on the fateful night of August 15, 1975, that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, along with several members of his family, fell victim to the actions of disgruntled army personnel.
A contingent of the armed forces, smartly attired, offered a state salute to honor the memory of the beloved leader, accompanied by the somber notes of a bugle playing the last post, a deeply poignant tribute.
Joined by her younger sister, Sheikh Rehana, Prime Minister Hasina engaged in a solemn offering of Fateha and munajat at the gravesite, seeking eternal peace for the departed souls of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, and other martyrs who lost their lives on the tragic day of August 15. This reverent act took place in the presence of distinguished attendees, including the Speaker, cabinet members, chiefs of the three armed services, the Inspector General of Police, and members of the prime minister’s family.
Amidst prayers for continued national peace, progress, and prosperity, the significance of the day was underscored by these solemn gestures of remembrance and hope.
Prime Minister Hasina, who also serves as the President of the Awami League (AL), further displayed her deep respect by laying a wreath at the grave of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on behalf of her party. In unity, senior leaders of the AL stood by her side, paying homage to the indomitable spirit of the nation’s founding father.
Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, in a touching act of reverence, laid a wreath at the grave of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, echoing the sentiments of the nation in honoring his enduring legacy.
The remembrance extended beyond the official realm, as leaders from various affiliated bodies of the Awami League and its front organizations joined in paying their respects with wreaths placed at the hallowed site.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Hasina’s day of homage began with a visit to Tungipara, the ancestral home of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Arriving via helicopter at 11:35 am, the prime minister participated in a tribute-paying event at the portrait of the Father of the Nation in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi 32 area. In another emotional gesture, she visited the Banani graveyard in Dhaka, where she gently laid flower petals on the graves of the August 15 martyrs. This solemn act was accompanied by prayers and a heartfelt munajat, an expression of her unwavering connection to the nation’s history and its heroes.
The tragic events of August 15, 1975, forever etched in the nation’s memory, saw the brutal assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, his devoted spouse Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, their three beloved sons—Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal, and Sheikh Russel—along with numerous other family members and close relatives. In the face of this unspeakable tragedy, Bangabandhu’s two daughters, including the present Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and her sister Sheikh Rehana, miraculously survived due to their absence from the country at that critical moment.
As the nation commemorates this day of profound significance, the homage offered by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other dignitaries stands as a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. His sacrifice, vision, and unwavering commitment to the nation’s independence continue to inspire generations.
