The interim government initially considered posthumously awarding General MAG Osmani, the commander-in-chief of the Bangladesh Mukti Bahini during the Liberation War, with the Independence Award this year but later dropped the idea due to a precedence issue.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Adviser’s press wing on Tuesday night, MAG Osmani had already been honoured with the Independence Award in 1985.
As no Bangladeshi has ever received the country’s highest civilian award more than once, the proposal was ultimately withdrawn.
Govt reinstates Ziaur Rahman’s Independence Award
This year’s Independence Award recipients are Prof Jamal Nazrul Islam (posthumous), Mir Abdus Shukur Al Mahmud (posthumous), Sculptor Novera Ahmed (posthumous), Abrar Fahad (posthumous), Badruddin Mohammad Umar, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed and Mohammad Mahbubul Haque Khan alias Azam Khan (posthumous).
Bangladesh has been honouring individuals and institutions with the award every year ahead of Independence Day since 1977.
Last year, 10 people received the Independence Award.