Staff Reporter :
The nation is going to observe the historic Mujibnagar Day today [April 17] in a befitting manner commemorating the formation of the provisional government of independent Bangladesh during the War
of Liberation in 1971. On this day in 1971, the provisional Bangladesh government named ‘Mujibnagar Government’ was constituted with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the President, Syed Nazrul Islam Vice-President, Tajuddin Ahmed Prime Minister, Khandoker Mostaque Ahmed Foreign Minister, Captain M Mansur Ali as the 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 government of Bangladesh.
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 Baiddyanathtala under Meherpur sub-division in Kushtia district on April 17, 1971 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.
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 issued separate messages.
In his message, Abdul Hamid said, “Independence is the greatest achievement of the Bangalee nation. It’s our moral duty to present the proper history of our struggle for independence to the young generation. On the historic Mujibnagar Day, I hope the young generation would know the true history of Liberation War apart from involving themselves in nation-building inspired by patriotism.”
In her message, Sheikh Hasina urged the people of the country to engage themselves in building Bangladesh to free from hunger, poverty and illiteracy as dreamt by Bangabandhu.
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 would publish special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and other private television channels and radio stations will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.
In the meanwhile, the ruling Awami League has chalked out an elaborate programme to mark the historic Mujibnagar Day in the capital Dhaka and in Mujibnagar.
AL’s programmes include hoisting the National Flag and party flags at Bangabandhu Bhaban, party central office and its all district unit offices at 6 am.
Prime Minister and AL President Sheikh Hasina will place a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Bangabandhu Bhaban in the city at 7 am.
Besides, the AL leaders will also place wreaths at the Memorial Monument at Mujibnagar, Meherpur at 10 am.
The ruling party will organise a public rally in Mujibnagar at Sheikh Hasina Mancha at 10.30 am where party’s General Secretary and Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam will preside over the rally.
In Dhaka, the AL will also organise a discussion at Krishibid Institution Auditorium at 3 pm tomorrow [Monday]. Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina will be present as the chief guest.
