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| Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman |
“The
darkest chapter in the history of Bengal—15th August 1975.”
August
is a mournful month in the history of Bangladesh. Every year, as this month
begins, the nation solemnly remembers its most beloved leader—the architect of
Bangladesh and the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman—who
was martyred along with most of his family members in a brutal military coup on
the early morning of August 15, 1975.
A Brutal Tragedy in History
On
that fateful morning, House No. 32 on Dhanmondi Road turned into the site of a
gruesome massacre. The conspirators' target was not just a person, but an
entire ideal—a vision, a consciousness, and the hope of a struggling yet
determined nation. Along with Bangabandhu, his wife Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib,
sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal, Sheikh Russel, and other close family members
were brutally murdered.
This
tragedy, occurring just three and a half years after independence, left the
young nation in shock. History bears witness that a Bangladesh without Bangabandhu
was swiftly thrown into deep political and ideological turmoil.
Why Is August Mournful?
August
became a symbol of loss—not only due to Bangabandhu’s assassination but also
because of the wave of conspiracies and unrest that followed. The Indemnity
Ordinance was passed to protect the killers from justice, effectively
halting any legal proceedings for years. This legal cover-up reflected the
extreme political polarization and increasing military interference that
gripped the highest levels of the state. As a result, Bangladesh strayed far
from the ideals of the Liberation War and its progressive path.
Moreover,
in 2004, another dark chapter was added to this month. On August 21,
grenades were hurled at Bangabandhu’s daughter, Sheikh Hasina—then the leader
of the opposition and President of the Awami League—while she was addressing a
political rally. Though she survived, 24 people were killed on the spot, and
many others were left injured or paralyzed. This reinforced the pattern of
August as a month of repeated attacks on the nation’s democratic foundation.
The Political Context Behind the Assassination
Historians
and analysts believe that the assassination of Bangabandhu was not a
spontaneous act by a few rogue military officers. Rather, it was a well-orchestrated
coup, supported by both domestic and international vested interests. The
goal was clear: to remove the visionary leadership of a newly independent
country and reduce it to a submissive, dependent state.
The Responsibility of Today’s Generation
In
this month of mourning, our role is not limited to grieving; we must also
reflect, learn, and act. August 15 is not just a family tragedy—it is a national
wound, an attack on the very foundation of our independence.
The
younger generation must understand why Bangabandhu was assassinated, who
carried it out, why justice was delayed for so long, and how
justice was eventually restored. Equally important is the need to uphold accountability,
democracy, and the spirit of the Liberation War at all levels of national
life.
Final
Thoughts
Let
August be more than just a month of national mourning. Let it be a time of self-reflection,
collective accountability, and renewed commitment to the dream of a
progressive, non-communal, and just Bangladesh.
May
the blood of the Father of the Nation not be in vain. Let us unite to fulfill
his vision of a Golden Bengal.
“If
you want to destroy a nation, destroy its history.
Bangabandhu was the symbol of that history—that is why he was killed.”
The same article in Bengali: শোকাবহ আগস্ট: জাতীয় শোক ও আত্মপ্রতিকারের মাস
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