C T Online Desk: The historic Mujibnagar Day is being observed today marking the oath-taking ceremony of Bangladesh’s first government on April 17, 1971, reports BSS.
Following the Pakistan army’s genocide on unarmed Bangalees on the black night of March 25 in 1971, senior leaders of Awami League assembled at Baidyanathtala in Meherpur on April 17 to form the provisional government of independent Bangladesh.
Baidyanathtala, mainly a mango orchard, was later named Mujibnagar after ceremonial formation of the provisional government of Bangladesh.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was declared the first president of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, while Syed Nazrul Islam was appointed as the acting president in the absence of Bangabandhu.
Tajuddin Ahmed was appointed as the first prime minister, while Khondoker Moshtaque Ahmed, Capt M Mansur Ali and AHM Qamaruzzaman were named as cabinet members.
The interim government named General MAG Osmani as commander-in-chief of Mukti Bahini while appointed Major General Abdur Rob as chief of staff.
The provisional government gave successful leadership to the War of Liberation for achieving victory on December 16.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages urging the people to work together for building a non-communal, hunger- and poverty-free, developed and prosperous ‘Sonar Bangla’ as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
In his message, President Hamid extended his heartiest greetings and congratulations to the countrymen and all Bangladeshis staying abroad on the occasion of the historic Mujibnagar Day.
He said April 17 is a memorable day in the long path of struggle for independence of the Bangalee nation.
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said April 17, the historic Mujibnagar Day, is a memorable day in the national life of Bangalees.
On this day in 1971, she said, the first provisional government of the independent Bangladesh had taken oath at a mango orchard at Baidyanathtala in the then Meherpur sub-division.
Meherpur turned into the capital of the provisional government and from that day, the place became familiar as ‘Mujibnagar’, she added.
The premier said within two hours after the completion of formalities of the Mujibnagar Government, Pakistani Air Force occupied Meherpur by carrying out bombings and attacks.
As a result, the provisional government was bound to take shelter in India and continued its activities from there, she said.
The ruling Awami League and its associate bodies are observing the historic Mujibnagar Day amid due enthusiasm and importance as various programmes have been chalked out marking the day.
Of the programmes, national and party flags were hoisted at all party offices across the country including its central office and Bangabandhu Bhaban premises at 6am on April 17.
Tribute was paid at the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Bhaban premises around 7am.
At Mujibnagar, national and party flags were hoisted around 6am, tribute was paid at the mausoleum at 10am, a guard of honour was held at 10.15am and public rally marking the Mujibnagar day will be held at Sheikh Hasina Manch at 11am.
Awami League Presidium Member Quazi Jafar Ullah will attend the function as the chief guest.
Awami League Presidium Member AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq, will also speak at the function as the special guests.
The function will be chaired by Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim. AL Organizing Secretary BM Mozammel Huq will moderate the function.
Awami League Central Executive Council Members Amirul Alam Milon, Parvin Zaman Kalpana, Advocate Gloria Sarker Jharna and Nirmol Kumar Chatterge, Meherpur district Awami League President Farhad Hossain, its General Secretary MA Khaleque will also attend the function as the special speaker.
Newspapers published special supplements while Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television and private TV channels are airing different programmes highlighting the significance of the day.
