The interim government does not recognise Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the 'Father of the Nation', said Nahid Islam, Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, on Wednesday.
"Awami League made Sheikh Mujibur Rahman controversial. As a party, Awami League was in power through fascist tactics — snatching people's voting rights, abductions, murders, and genocide. So, who called him (Sheikh Mujib) the Father of the Nation, and which day they declared as National Day, none of that will continue in the new Bangladesh. We want to rebuild Bangladesh in a new way. So, we have to change our attitude to the history in a new way," he said while addressing a press conference at his secretariat office in the capital.
When directly asked whether the interim government acknowledges Bangabandhu as the Father of the Nation, Nahid responded, "Of course not."
He said, "Many people had contributed to the struggle of our nation's history. Our history didn't begin in 1952. We have anti-British struggles, we have 1947, 1971, 1990, and now 2024. We have many founding fathers, and our freedom came through their collective struggles."
The adviser also noted that the national days being canceled were "imposed" by the Awami League, describing this as "fascist behavior."
He added, "The government finds these days unimportant, so they are being canceled."
Earlier in the day, the interim government officially announced the cancellation of eight national days, including the 7th March, which commemorates Bangabandhu's historic speech, and August 15, marking his assassination.
