Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's 33rd death anniversary observed in Dhaka

Dhaka, August 15 : The 33rd death anniversary of Bangladesh's founding leader Shekih Mujibur Rahman is being observed across Bangladesh today.

President Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed visited Tungipara and offered prayers and flowers on his grave.

The three services of the Armed Forces gave a guard of honour to Mujib's mortal remains.

Mujib was assassinated at his house at Dhanmondi in a military putsch on August 15, 1975. All his family members except- Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana- were killed in the incident.

The military-controlled interim government on Sunday reinstated August 15 as National Mourning Day and public holiday on a High Court verdict delivered on July 27.

On the assumption of office, 21 years after Mujib's killing, the Awami League, led by his daughter Sheikh Hasina on August 8, 1996 declared August 15 as a National Mourning Day and a public holiday.

The day had accordingly been observed until the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led alliance government of Khaleda Zia scrapped the Awami League government's decision on August 2, 2002.

A High Court bench on July 27 ruled that the BNP-led alliance government's decision was illegal. It also declared the changes made by the BNP-led alliance government to the Bangladesh Flag Rules 1972 illegal, which cancelled the hoisting of the national flag at half-mast to pay respect to Mujib on the day.

The President and the Chief Adviser issued separate messages on the eve of National Mourning Day.

The nation with deep respect recalls Mujib's contribution to Bangladesh 's independence struggle, said Iajuddin, adding that Mujib was an architect of the independent and sovereign Bangladesh.

"Bangabandhu was uncompromising in realising self-rights by enduring oppression and torture. His political farsightedness, valour, oration and robust leadership had inspired the nation during the war of independence," he said.

Fakhruddin Ahmed said, "Mujib was an unforgettable personality and ever-shining ideal in the nation's history, had faced torture and imprisonment to establish people's rights. His call for independence and freedom had inspired and unified the whole nation."

The Awami League leaders have visited the grave at Tungipara on Thursday.

The national and party flags hoisted at half-mast and black flags also hoisted at Bangabandhu Bhaban (President House) and all party offices.

Awami League Party secretary Zillur Rahman thanked the government for the reinstatement of August 15 as National Mourning Day and urged effective initiatives for the execution of the court verdict on Mujib murder case.

ANI