Today, August 15, marks the 51st death anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. On August 15, 1975, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated along with most of his family members in the early hours of the morning. The brutal attack claimed the lives of 18 members of his family, including his young son Sheikh Russell and a pregnant woman.
Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, many of the party’s senior leaders have remained outside the country. From abroad, the party’s central leaders have announced month-long programmes to mark Bangabandhu’s death anniversary. Youth League, Chhatra League and other affiliated organisations have also arranged activities including poster campaigns, food distribution, prayers and milad gatherings. Awami League leaders have also organised discussions and prayer programmes abroad through various social and political organisations.
After Bangabandhu was assassinated in 1975, then-president Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad issued the Indemnity Ordinance to block legal proceedings over the killings. After the Awami League returned to power in 1996, the ordinance was repealed, clearing the way for the trial of those accused. In 1998, 15 accused were sentenced to death. However, after a change of government in 2001, the case remained pending before the Appellate Division. When the Awami League returned to power in 2008, the trial process was completed and the death sentences were carried out.
The Awami League government was ousted on August 5, 2024, and a large number of its top leaders subsequently left the country. August 15 was also removed from the list of National Mourning Day observances. Despite the suspension of its organisational activities, the Awami League has announced programmes marking Bangabandhu’s 51st death anniversary. Compared with the previous two years, the Dhaka city Awami League and Youth League have also announced various programmes this year.
August 15 was declared National Mourning Day and a public holiday after the Awami League returned to power in 1996. However, in 2024, the interim government led by Dr Muhammad Yunus cancelled both National Mourning Day and the public holiday on August 15. As a result, no official state observance of the day is being held this year, as was the case during the previous two years.
