Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
‘Want Bangabandhu's killers to be deported to Bangladesh’: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday vowed to bring back the self-confessed fugitive killers of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to execute the court verdict and sought support from people of the country living at home and abroad.
"A killer is a killer, no matter the lapse of time. We want Bangabandhu’s killers to be deported to Bangladesh," he told reporters, adding that things would have been different if voices were raised from the very beginning.
Read:Inspired to protect the values Bangabandhu stood for: India
Dr Momen pointed out the military governments led by Ziaur Rahman and HM Ershad; and BNP-Jamaat government headed by Khaleda Zia which patronized the killers and helped the killers get established.
"Anyway, past is past. We're trying to bring them back," he said after attending a programme at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, marking the National Mourning Day.
The five fugitive killers of Bangabandhu are Khandaker Abdur Rashid, Shariful Haque Dalim, Nur Chowdhury, Rashed Chowdhury and Moslehuddin Khan.
The Interpol issued a red notice regarding Noor Chowdhury on August 31, 2009, which was extended for five years on March 25, 2019.
A red notice was issued about Rashed Chowdhury on January 7, 2009, which was extended on July 26, 2018 for five years.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh has so far confirmed the current location of two killers.
They are sacked lieutenant colonel SHMB Noor Chowdhury and sacked lieutenant colonel Rashed Chowdhury who are taking shelter in Canada and the United States respectively, he said.
Read: Mourning Day: PM pays homage to Bangabandhu
The Foreign Minister said they do not know about three other killers but it is understood that they are moving from one country to another.
He urged the Bangladeshis living in these two countries to stage demonstration in front of the killers’ residences once in a month to mount community pressures on the authorities there for their deportation.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh Missions abroad have also been asked to work hard to that end saying Bangladesh will follow the path law for the killers deportation.
He said if any Bangladeshi can give accurate information about the killers, the information provider will be rewarded. "Share information with us. You will be rewarded if your information is correct."
On November 19, 2009, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court upheld the High Court verdict, confirming capital punishment of 12 killers of Bangabandhu and his family members.
FM pays tributes to Bangabandhu
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Corner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, marking the National Mourning Day.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen were also present.
Read:Mourning Day: PM pays homage to Bangabandhu
All senior officials of the ministry attended the event.
Mourning Day: PM pays homage to Bangabandhu
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, marking the 46th anniversary of his martyrdom and the National Mourning Day on Sunday.
The prime minister paid homage to the Architect of the Independence by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road No 32.
Read:Nation observing Bangabandhu’s anniversary of martyrdom in a somber mood
After placing wreaths, the prime minister stood in solemn silence there for some time showing respect to the great leader and the great architect of Bangladesh’s independence.
Nation observing Bangabandhu’s anniversary of martyrdom in a somber mood
People across the country are observing the National Mourning Day on Sunday, the darkest chapter in the history of independent Bangladesh.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, marking the 46th anniversary of his martyrdom and the National Mourning Day on Sunday.
The prime minister paid homage to the Architect of the Independence by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road No 32.
After placing wreaths, the prime minister stood in solemn silence there for some time showing respect to the great leader and the great architect of Bangladesh’s independence.
A smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Armed Forces gave a state salute, while bugle played the tune of grief and somber to the last post.
Also read: Aug 15: Remembering the Father of the Nation on anniversary of martyrdom
A munajat was also offered seeking the eternal peace of the departed souls of the August 15 carnage.
Quader calls for national unity against politics of killing and conspiracy
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday called for building national unity to stop the politics of killing and conspiracy in Bangladesh forever.
He said this in a webinar on "Mourning August - Black Chapter of History" organized by Uttaran magazine published by Awami League.
Read:Govt may impose tough lockdown if situation deteriorates: Quader
Quader said that democracy, values and ideology are being attacked one by one. So the politics of conspiracy must be eradicated forever.
The AL leader said those who staged the bloody Aug. 15 in this country and those who benefitted from the tragedy had met natural justice.
Quader said the Aug. 15 tragedy was staged not only against Bangabandhu and his family, but it was also the most brutal attack on the hard-won independence.
He said the Aug. 15 massacre, the killings of four national leaders in jail and the 2004 grenade attack on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had the same objective to create a leadership vacuum in the country.
Read:Begum Mujib was a co-fighter of Bangabandhu, says Quader
"The masterminds of the August massacre are still active, adding that the killers had faced trial, the death sentence had been carried out but there were still some fugitives abroad and all-out diplomatic efforts are being made to bring them back,” he said.
Quader said that the conspirators of the killings need to be found out and exposed to the next generation.
Editor of Uttaran of Dr. Nuh-ul-Alam Lenin presided over the discussion. It was addressed by President of Bangla Academy National Professor Rafiqul Islam , former judge of Supreme Court Shamsuddin Manik, Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation Barrister Sheikh Fazle Nur Tapsad also Awami League Organizing Secretary Advocate Afzal Hossain, Office Secretary Barrister Biplob Barua.
Read: History has forgotten those who tried to erase Bangabandhu, says Quader
Later, Quader virtually joined as the chief guest at the National Mourning Day discussion organized by Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib University of Science and Technology.
There he said those who wanted to erase Bangabandhu Mujib from history are being erased from the pages of history today.
Bangabandhu’s life to be showcased in NYC's Times Square
The life sketch of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will be screened at Times Square, New York on August 15 and 16.
Bangabandhu’s digital portrait will also be screened for 720 times at the place, a major commercial intersection, tourist destination, entertainment center, and neighborhood in the Midtown Manhattan section of New York City, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue.
Read:Who had planned Bangabandhu family's murder and why? questions Hasina
Tokyo Mission celebrates 91st birth anniversary of Bangamata
Ambassador of Bangladesh to Japan Shahabuddin Ahmed on Sunday recalled the memory of Bangamata Fazilatun Nesa Mujib and said that she was the center of all inspiration for Bangabandhu.
"She remained as a shadow with Bangabandhu all through her life," said the Ambassador, adding that Bangamata was an ideal woman imbued with patriotism, dedications, sacrifices and farsightedness that new generation specially women should learn from her.
Read:Five women receive 'Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib Award'
Today is the 91st birth anniversary of Bangamata Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, wife of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The Embassy of Bangladesh in Tokyo observed the day with due respect at the Bangabandhu auditorium of the Mission.
Bangabandhu: Bangladesh’s liberator as proclaimer of independence
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque has said a vested quarter made evil efforts to outshine Bangabandhu’s long struggle for the country’s Liberation War with a false campaign about the proclamation of independence by Ziaur Rahman.
“This is unfortunate that a false campaign was carried out about the proclamation of the country’s independence after Bangabandhu’s assassination in 1975,” he said.
Read:History has forgotten those who tried to erase Bangabandhu, says Quader
Speaking at a webinar on Saturday night, the minister also said Ziaur Rahman had just read out the proclamation of independence on March 27. “But an effort was made to undermine Bangabandhu’s struggles of 24 years for the country's independence through it (false campaign about the proclamation of independence.”
Out of his 24 years’ struggle, he said, Bangabandhu had been in jail for nearly 14 years and he gradually created the ground for the Liberation War through different movements and programmes. “Who did give Zia the right to declare independence? People gave only Bangabandhu the authority, right and mandate to proclaim the independence through casting their votes in the 1970 general election.”
The virtual programme titled ‘Bangabandhu, Bangladesh and the Young Generation' was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and Better Bangladesh Foundation (BBF) on Saturday night. BBF Founding Chairman Prof Masud A Khan moderated the webinar.
Mozammel said Bangladesh and Bangabandhu have become synonymous – a single identical symbol to people. “He engaged himself in serving people since his childhood. The day Pakistanis denied Bengali, the mother language of 56 percent of people of the country, the young student leader, Sheikh Mujib, realised that we got Punjabi exploiters after getting rid of the British rule.”
He said Sheikh Mujibur Rahman first thought of liberating the country through founding Chhatra League on January 4, 1948.
The minister said Awami League under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman won the general election on December 7, 1970.
“With this election, the Bengali nation gave Bangabandhu the unilateral mandate to lead the country and raise voice in favour of them. He then prepared the nation and finally proclaimed the independence of Bangladesh in the early hours of March 26. People joined the war responding to his call and liberated the country through a nine-month-long battle,” he said.
Read:Second photo exhibition on life, legacy of Bangabandhu begins in Seoul
Mozammel urged the young generation to know the history and the objectives of the country’s Liberation War and work for materialising Bangabandhu's dream of building a hunger- and poverty-free 'Sonar Bangla'.
Bangladesh Bank’s former Governor Dr Atiur Rahman said Bangabandhu inspired the young generation to liberate the country under his able leadership. ”The average age of our freedom fighters was 21-22, and 78 percent of them were the children of farmers.”
He said Bangabandhu thought about the welfare of the young generation throughout his life. “He had great feelings for the youth. He was the leader who could transmit energy among the youth.”
Dr Atiur said Bangabandhu was the heart of Bangladesh and this heart was torn out on August 15, 1975, “The killers had thought the name of Bangabandhu will be eliminated through his assassination. But he returned among us very strongly and will always remain among us. Bangabandhu is an eternal name which will glitter always.”
He said Bangladesh has been progressing fast under the able leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina. “The country now needs to focus on skills development of its workforce to face the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). We also need to take initiatives for re-skilling and upskilling of our workforce involving the youths.”
Atiur said the government should focus on improving the ease of doing business for boosting the country’s progress and creating more employment for the young generation.
Read:Bangabandhu Corner to be established at Lovely Professional University in Punjab
Bangladesh Ambassador to Jordan Nahida Sobhan said Bangabandhu was active over the issues of people’s rights and he demonstrated his high leadership quality since his early student life. “He took the country towards the independence gradually by preparing the nation for the Liberation War.”
“So, I urge the young generation to know the life and works of Bangabandhu and get inspired to play a significant role in taking the country forward,” she said.
New Delhi mission pays homage to Sheikh Kamal
Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Thursday paid homage to valiant freedom fighter Captain Sheikh Kamal on the occasion of his birth anniversary.
Capt. Sheikh Kamal was assassinated along with Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most members of his family on the brutal night of August 15 in 1975.
The 72nd birth anniversary of Sheikh Kamal was observed with due solemnity through holding of discussion and placing wreaths at his portraits at Bangabandhu Corner at the chancery building.
Read: Sheikh Kamal’s birthday: PM releases postage stamp
Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran led the officers and staff of the mission in laying the wreaths.
Sheikh Kamal’s birthday: PM releases postage stamp
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday released a commemorative postage stamp, an opening-day cover and a data card marking the 72nd birth anniversary of Shaheed Captain Sheikh Kamal.
Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and younger brother of Sheikh Hasina, was born on August 5, 1949 at Tungipara, Gopalganj.
Read: Even as President’s son, Kamal led a simple life: Hasina
Hasina unveiled the Tk-10 stamp along with a Tk-10 opening-day cover and Tk-5 data card at a function at her official residence Ganobhaban, said PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim.
Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar, PMO Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Posts and Telecommunications Secretary Md Afzal Hossain and Director General of Directorate of Posts (Bangladesh Post Office) Md Siraz Uddin were present.