Mujibnagar Day being observed
The historic Mujibnagar Day is being observed on Tuesday marking the formation of Bangladesh's first government that led the war of liberation in 1971.
Senior leaders of Awami League assembled at Baidyanathtala, a mango orchard, which was later named Mujibnagar in Meherpur district, on 17 April 1971 to form the provisional government of independent Bangladesh in the absence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Millions of freedom-loving people listened to the announcement of the formation of the government through radio.
Following the Pakistan occupation forces' attack on unarmed people on the night of 25 March in 1971, the first government of independent People's Republic of Bangladesh was formed on 10 April in 1971 comprising elected representatives with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as its president, while Syed Nazrul Islam vice-president and Tajuddin Ahmad prime minister.
“We, the elected representatives of the people of Bangladesh, are honour bound by the mandate given to us by the people of Bangladesh whose will is supreme duly constituted ourselves into a Constituent Assembly, and having held mutual consultations, and in order to ensure for the people of Bangladesh equality, human dignity and social justice, declare and constitute Bangladesh to be sovereign Peoples' Republic,” read the proclamation of independence made in Mujibnagar on 10 April 1971.
On that day, the elected representatives firmly supported and approved the declaration of independence by Bangabandhu on 26 March 1971 and issued a formal proclamation of independence.
President Abdul Hamid and prime minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the occasion, reports UNB.
In his message, Abdul Hamid said, "Independence is the greatest achievement of the Bangali 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 will know the true history of the liberation war apart from involving themselves in the nation-building inspired by patriotism."
Sheikh Hasina, in her message, urged the country's people to engage themselves in building Bangladesh as a country free from hunger, poverty and illiteracy as dreamt by Bangabandhu.
Awami League and different socio-cultural organisations are observing the day with elaborate programmes.
Besides, in Meherpur, deputy commissioner and superintendent of police hoisted flag at memorial monument at Mujibnagar in the morning.
Besides, a discussion will be held at Sheikh Hasina Mancha where industries minister Amir Hossain Amu will be present as the chief guest.
A special team of Ansar from Dhaka will present an event titled 'Esho Tarunyer Pathe' (Come to the path of youth).