Today is August 15. The 51st death anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. On this day in 1975, Bangabandhu and his family were brutally murdered; a shameful chapter in history was written. Bangabandhu, his family and close relatives, including 26 people, were brutally murdered that night. Mujib’s daughters Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana survived as they were in the then West Germany at the time.

On the night of August 15, 1975, Bangabandhu was murdered along with his wife Sheikh Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and infant son Sheikh Russell, daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal, and Bangabandhu’s only brother Sheikh Abu Naser. In addition, security officer Colonel Jamil, SB officer Siddiqur Rahman and army member Syed Mahbubul Haque, who rushed to save Bangabandhu’s life after receiving his call, were also killed.

DMP tightens security in the capital around August 15 DMP tightens security in the capital around August 15

The house of Bangabandhu’s nephew Jubo League leader Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni was attacked and he, his pregnant wife Arju Moni, Bangabandhu’s brother-in-law Abdur Rob Serniabat were attacked and he, his daughter Baby, son Arif Serniabat, grandson Sukanta Babu, Serniabat’s elder brother’s son Sajeeb Serniabat and a relative Rentu Khan were killed.

After the Awami League-led government came to power in 1996, it was decided to observe the first national day of mourning that year. That decision was canceled when the BNP-led four-party alliance came to power in 2001. However, in 2007, the caretaker government again decided to observe August 15 as a national day of mourning.

After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024 in the July Movement, the interim government canceled the national day of mourning and the public holiday on August 15.

Every year on the day of mourning, party leaders and activists, social and cultural organizations, paid tribute to Bangabandhu at the portrait of Bangabandhu at No. 32 in Dhanmondi, at Bangabandhu’s tomb in Tungipara, and at the graves of the victims of August 15 at Banani Cemetery. In addition, special prayers and Kangali feasts, including Milad, were organized at religious institutions. However, after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, 2024, house number 32 was demolished. The mourning program was stopped. Since the demolition of house number 32 in Dhanmondi, the activities of the Awami League and its affiliated organizations have been banned. Since the current government came to power after the post-Hasina interim government, house number 32 has been in a dilapidated state.

Regarding this, all activities of the Awami League, its affiliates and affiliated organizations have been banned until the trial of the Bangladesh Awami League and its leaders at the International Crimes Tribunal is completed. The then interim government banned the activities of the Awami League on May 10 last year under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The Awami League’s student organization, Chhatra League, was banned on October 23 last year.

On August 14 last year, the verified Facebook page of the Awami League expressed condolences on the occasion of August 15. This year too, the verified Facebook page of the Awami League expressed condolences.

It is worth noting that Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power on August 5, 2024, in the face of student and public protests, and is staying in Delhi, India.