Dhaka, August 14: Every year on August 15, Bangladesh observes ‘National Mourning Day.’ This day marks the brutal assassination of the country’s founder and Father of the Nation, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, along with several family members. On August 14, 1975, a military attack on his residence in Dhaka led to the tragic deaths of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family. He is also known as Bangabandhu, meaning ‘Friend of Bengal.’
Since 1996, this day has been officially recognized as National Mourning Day to honor the sacrifices and contributions of the nation’s founder. It is a public holiday throughout the country.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman began advocating for the rights of the Bengali language and culture in East Pakistan as early as 1948. His historic speech on March 7, 1971, at Suhrawardy Udyan inspired millions to join the liberation struggle. Bangladesh became an independent nation on December 16, 1971, separating from Pakistan, with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman serving as its first president.
However, just three and a half years after independence, on the night of August 15, 1975, a group of military officers attacked his home in Dhanmondi. In this attack, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, his wife Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal, Sheikh Russell, and 18 family members were killed. At that time, his two daughters, Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana, were abroad and thus survived.
The tradition of observing August 15 as National Mourning Day began in 1981. When the Awami League came to power in 1996, this day was declared a public holiday. However, in 2024, amidst severe violence in Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina’s government was overthrown. Following this, an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus temporarily removed the holiday, but it was reinstated after significant public opposition.
National Mourning Day also serves as a reminder of Bangladesh’s democracy, constitution, and the spirit of the liberation struggle. Various programs are organized by political parties, civil society, cultural organizations, and student groups on this day.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s slogan was, “The struggle this time is for liberation; the struggle this time is for independence.” Today, millions of Bangladeshis reaffirm their commitment to this ideal.
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