Today is 15th August, National Mourning Day. On this day in 1975, we lost the father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He was a visionary leader who tirelessly fought for Bangladesh's independence and played a pivotal role in the nation's emergence in 1971. The man who could not be killed by the Pakistani military junta, was killed by his fellow contrymen. August 15 marks as day of great tragedy in the history of Bangladesh.
On that day, the killers didn't only take Bangabandhu's life but also the lives of his entire family, including young Sheikh Russell. While Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana survived as they were overseas, the nation's response to this brutal assassination wasn't as strong as it should have been. As a result, the 15th of August has become a day of mourning and reflection. Then, the murderers also targeted four national leaders who were close allies of Bangabandhu in Dhaka Central Jail before fleeing the country. Their goal was to leave Bangladesh without strong political leadership.
Following 15 August, a series of military coups happened led by the then Chief of General Staff, Khaled Musharraf. On 3 November, a counter-coup occurred. While this rule was brief, Musharraf and his supporters compelled the violent group to exit the country, leading to President Khandaker Mushtaque Ahmed's resignation.
Chief Justice Abu Sadaat Mohammad Sayem became the new president. Musharraf was killed in the so-called sepoy revolution on 7 November. Then Ziaur Rahman came to power.
Bangabandhu's killers were forced to leave the country after 83 days of assuming power, but their shadow remained in the politics of Bangladesh for a long time. Khandaker Mushtaque Ahmed issued the Indemnity Ordinance and blocked the trial of Bangabandhu's murder. During Ziaur Rahman's tenure, this indemnity received legal validity in the Jatiya Sangsad. Not only that, but his government gives the murderers diplomatic posts abroad. It continued till the reign of Hussain Muhammad Ershad and Khaleda Zia. It was extremely shameful for the country and nation.
In 1996, the Awami League came to power and cancelled the Indemnity Ordinance. They initiated the trial for Bangabandhu's murder. After a long legal process, five killers – Syed Farooq Rahman, Sultan Shahriar Rashid Khan, Bajlul Huda, Mohiuddin Ahmed, and AKM Mohiuddin Ahmed – were hanged on 28 January 2010. Abdul Majed, another convict, fled to Calcutta, India, but was brought back and executed on 10 April 2021.
Five individuals accused of the crime remain at large in foreign countries. Khandaker Abdur Rashid, Shariful Haque Dalim, AM Rashed Chowdhury, Moslem Uddin, and SH Noor Chowdhury have yet to be apprehended. Aziz Pasha, another suspect, passed away while on the run overseas.
Despite the government's claims of ongoing diplomatic efforts to bring these fugitives back, progress has been slow. Notably, Noor Chowdhury is in Canada, and Rashed Chowdhury is in the United States. More determined diplomatic actions are required to ensure the repatriation of these fugitives living abroad.
The Awami League, Bangabandhu's party, has held power for approximately 14 and a half years. People expect more than just formal gestures of remembrance from the party and government. They hope to see the principles and ideals Bangabandhu stood for being put into action. Bangabandhu dedicated his life to democracy and ending exploitation. Honoring him means establishing those ideals in society. On 15 August, we also pay our respects to all those who were tragically murdered.