On the occasion of the 49th death anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, no one was allowed to pay tribute at his portrait on Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka.
Since Thursday morning (August 15), protesters have been blocking the Awami League's procession program at the location.
Additionally, reports from victims and eyewitnesses indicate that grassroots Awami League leaders and activists gathered at Bangabandhu Bhaban on Dhanmondi 32 were beaten. According to Awami League sources, the tribute program at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s portrait was scheduled to begin with a tribute ceremony on this mourning day.
Previously, Sheikh Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, had called on Awami League leaders and activists to pay respects to Bangabandhu at Dhanmondi 32 on the anniversary of his death.
On the other hand, some students and ordinary people occupied the area from midnight to prevent the Awami League's procession program towards Dhanmondi 32.
However, no central Awami League leaders were seen at Dhanmondi 32 from Thursday morning.
Following the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, the 15th of August marked the anniversary of Bangabandhu’s martyrdom.
On August 15, 1975, a group of army personnel brutally killed Bangabandhu along with his family. His wife, Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib; three sons, Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal, and Sheikh Russell; and daughters-in-law, Sultana Kamal and Rozy Jamal, were all murdered.
On the day of Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, many were seen standing with sticks around Dhanmondi 32 and nearby areas. The Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Museum was vandalized and set on fire.
On Thursday, it was observed that everyone arriving in the area was stopped and questioned, and protesters were checking visitors' identification cards and mobile phones.
Some individuals were seen chasing visitors in the area, and some were beaten while trying to escape.
Eyewitnesses reported that the protesters were attempting to ensure that no one could take pictures or videos of their activities
During this time, several Awami League supporters who attempted to enter were handed over to the duty soldiers despite the obstacles from the students and general public.
Attack on Rokeya Prachi
Meanwhile, a sit-in and candlelight procession was held in front of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s house on Dhanmondi 32, demanding justice for all the killings related to the anti-discrimination student movement.
The event was organized by National Award-winning actress Rokeya Prachi, who won the Best Supporting Actress award at the National Film Awards in 1999.
Following the event, Rokeya Prachi was attacked by opposition groups. She was physically assaulted during the attack. Regarding the incident, Rokeya Prachi stated, “At around 7:15 PM, we were unexpectedly attacked. We were conducting our program peacefully when suddenly we were surrounded and beaten severely.”
She alleged that the attackers had targeted her specifically and spoke in very refined language, which made her believe they were not mere criminals.
After the tribute, Rokeya Prachi said, “We have all gathered here today because Bangladesh is burning. We have come together because 1971 was burning for us. We have gathered here because the portrait of Bangabandhu has been burned. Dhanmondi 32 has been burned. We have come together because Bangladesh is burning. We did not come here to discuss politics. Bangladesh belongs to all of us.”
She added, “We came here to mourn peacefully. We respect Bangabandhu. He gave us this Bangladesh and the constitution. When Dhanmondi 32 burned, we felt as though we burned. We stand here at Dhanmondi 32 asking for forgiveness from this great leader of the world; we are ashamed, and the Bengali nation is ashamed today.”
It should be noted that Dr. Asif Nazrul, an adviser to the interim government of Bangladesh, was Rokeya Prachi’s second husband. Her father, Abdur Razzaq, was the president of the Mirpur and Pallabi Labor League during Bangabandhu’s tenure.
It is also noteworthy that Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s interim government annulled this national holiday during the tenure of the Awami League government.
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