Message from Tariq A. Karim, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India
The date August 15th, 1975 was the darkest hour for all Bangladeshis and a blot on the history of Bangladesh. On this day, a group of legally armed personnel accompanied by the forces of evil, brutally killed the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman....
A group of people with malevolent agenda, who were brainwashed to derive their only element of identity from religion, and not from language, culture, history and ethnicity, launched their drive to inexorably take over the state through a process of creeping annexation. The killers of Bangabandhu, were not only protected by an Act of Parliament that effectively prostituted the sanctity of the Constitution, but also rewarded with plush diplomatic assignments abroad. Quite a few of those who were party to this heinous crime against the constitution remain free and have evaded the long arms of the law and justice even till today.
It took thirty-four years for the nation to partially de-stigmatize itself from the biggest shame of its history by legally bringing to justice those of the absconding killers whom the state was able to apprehend and bring back to Bangladesh, but several others are still absconding. A new generation has shaken free from the deliberately and maliciously stoked identity crisis finally. They have spoken, loudly, clearly and in unequivocal terms, in the national parliamentary elections of December 2008, demanding that the wrongs of the past be addressed and fixed once and for all. This is a collective catharsis that the nation needs to undergo, in order to move forward to state consolidation and progress. This is perhaps the last opportunity for the nation to stand on its own feet with dignity and pride on the firm grounds of the secular values and democratic ideals that our society has adhered to and cherished for eons. Only then will the soul of Bangabandhu, the greatest Bangalee of all time, finally rest in peace. Only then shall Bangladeshis completely regain their self-respect in their own eyes. -- Message from Bangladesh High Commissioner to India. -- Tariq A. Karim, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India
Aug 15, 2010
The date August 15th, 1975 was the darkest hour for all Bangladeshis and a blot on the history of Bangladesh. On this day, a group of legally armed personnel accompanied by the forces of evil, brutally killed the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Even most of his family members and relatives were not spared in the dastardly act. The anti-liberation and anti-Bangladesh forces thereafter joined hands together and started their sinister efforts to destroy the democratic and secular fabric of Bangladesh. The state-sponsored distortion of history was institutionalized and led to the creation of political and religious mafia and militants.
The culture of impunity became the norm of the day. A group of people with malevolent agenda, who were brainwashed to derive their only element of identity from religion, and not from language, culture, history and ethnicity, launched their drive to inexorably take over the state through a process of creeping annexation. The killers of Bangabandhu, were not only protected by an Act of Parliament that effectively prostituted the sanctity of the Constitution, but also rewarded with plush diplomatic assignments abroad. Quite a few of those who were party to this heinous crime against the constitution remain free and have evaded the long arms of the law and justice even till today.
It took thirty-four years for the nation to partially de-stigmatize itself from the biggest shame of its history by legally bringing to justice those of the absconding killers whom the state was able to apprehend and bring back to Bangladesh, but several others are still absconding. A new generation has shaken free from the deliberately and maliciously stoked identity crisis finally. They have spoken, loudly, clearly and in unequivocal terms, in the national parliamentary elections of December 2008, demanding that the wrongs of the past be addressed and fixed once and for all. This is a collective catharsis that the nation needs to undergo, in order to move forward to state consolidation and progress. This is perhaps the last opportunity for the nation to stand on its own feet with dignity and pride on the firm grounds of the secular values and democratic ideals that our society has adhered to and cherished for eons. Only then will the soul of Bangabandhu, the greatest Bangalee of all time, finally rest in peace. Only then shall Bangladeshis completely regain their self-respect in their own eyes.
On this day of national mourning, we pay our deepest respect to the Father of the Nation and the countless martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may be independent as a nation and live as free people. Today, we pledge to correct the distortions wreaked upon history in national and international spheres. We pledge to unite and not allow anyone to undermine our secular legacy, our democracy, our independence or our inalienable right to live as we wish to.
Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu, May Bangladesh Live Forever,
Tariq A. Karim
---
Message from Mohd. Zillur Rahman, the President of Bangladesh
31 Sraban 1417
15 August 2010
August 15 is the National Mourning Day of Bangalee nation. Today is the 35th martyrdom anniversary of father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the greatest Bangalee of all times. On this day I pay, with heavy heart, my profound respect to the architect of sovereign Bangladesh Bangabandhu as well as to the memory of his family members who embraced martyrdom with him.
The 15th August 1975 is marked as a shameful chapter in the history of Bangalee nation. On this day the great leader and father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with his family members, except his daughter Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana, were brutally assassinated at his own residence by a group of killers who were directly or indirectly connived with conspirators. The wife of Bangabandhu Begum Fazilatunnessa Mujib, sons Shekh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russel, daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal, brother Sheikh Naser, farmers' leader Abdur Rab Serniabat, youth leader Sheikh Fazlul Haq Moni and his wife Arzu Moni, Baby Serniabat, Sukanta Babu, Arif and Abdul Nayeem Khan Rintu were also assassinated on this day. I pray to the Almighty Allah for the salvation of those departed souls of all martyrs on this Mourning Day.
Bangabandhu's contribution in our national history is of paramount importance. The Bangalee nation, that had been struggling for a long period, achieved her long-awaited independence under his able and courageous leadership. Starting from the historic Language Movement in 1952, Bangabandhu led the nation at every struggle and movement including 1958 movement against Martial Law, 1966 Six-Point Movement, 1969 Mass Upsurge and 1970 General Election towards attaining self-reliance and fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of our common people. In consequence of his efforts, he was arrested and sent to jail several times where he suffered inhuman treatment meted out to him by his oppressors. Finally, the great leader Bangabandhu declared independence on 26th March in 1971 after inspiring our people with the spirit of Bangalee nationalism. As a result he was again imprisoned and was almost put to gallows. In spite of intense pressure during his confinement in Pakistan, he was firm with his principle and yet he did not compromise with opponents of idealism. He always upheld the people's interest throughout his life. Though the conspirators killed the father of the nation they could not wipe out the ideals and beliefs of Bangabandhu.
It is a matter of great justice that the trial of the killers of Bangabandhu had been made on Bangladesh soil itself though it happened after 35 years of the great leader's assasination. Today the nation is somewhat stigma-free. Now we should bring the convicted fugitives back to country in order to execute the verdict. The nation is well aware of the fact that killers have no room at any corner in the world. The father of the nation Bangabandhu dreamt of a 'Golden Bangla' throughout his life. It is our utmost responsibility to materialize his dream in order to build a happy and prosperous country. On this National Mourning Day, let us make our grief into strength and devote ourselves in building a prosperous Bangladesh.
Khuda Hafiz, May Bangladesh Live Forever,
Mohd. Zillur Rahman
12:35 AM
Sultan Shahin
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