Historic Mujibnagar Day was observed on Friday in a subdued manner this year, with no formal state programme organised on the occasion.
Although the day is traditionally marked through official observances and institutional arrangements, no central government programme was held. The Mujibnagar Upazila administration said preparations for decoration and ceremonial activities could not be completed due to the absence of official
directives.
Despite the lack of formal arrangements, freedom fighters and descendants of freedom fighters paid tribute at the Mujibnagar Memorial in Meherpur. Wreaths were placed at the memorial at 9:00am on Friday in honour of the nation's liberation heroes, said Mokhlesur Rahman, president of the Mujibnagar Upazila unit of the Muktijoddha Sontan Sangsad Command.
Among those present were freedom fighter Haji Ahsan Ali Khan, retired Captain Abdul Malek, organisation general secretary Khairul Islam, and other members. Ansar members who had earlier provided the guard of honour to the country's first government, along with the singer who performed the national anthem at the oath-taking ceremony, also attended the programme.
A civic delegation also paid respects, including Citizen Movement leader Shamsul Huda, former Communist Party of Bangladesh general secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince, BSD leader and writer Rajikuzzaman Ratan, Zakir Hossain, human rights activist Dipayan, Bangladesh JSD central leader Anwarul Islam Babu, and freedom fighter Shahidul Islam.
According to historical accounts, the government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh was formed on 10 April 1971 with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as President, Syed Nazrul Islam as Vice President, Tajuddin Ahmed as Prime Minister, and MAG Osmani as Commander-in-Chief.
The oath-taking ceremony of the provisional government was held on 17 April 1971 at Baidyanathtala, later renamed Mujibnagar. At the ceremony, 12 Ansar members led by then Sub-Divisional Police Officer Mahbub Uddin Ahmed (Bir Bikram) presented a guard of honour to acting President Syed Nazrul Islam. The event was broadcast nationwide through Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, giving momentum to the Liberation War and cementing Mujibnagar's place in history.
Formed in the aftermath of the military crackdown by Pakistani forces on the night of 25 March 1971 and the declaration of independence on 26 March, the provisional government led the nine-month Liberation War, which ended in victory on 16 December 1971.
Following the political change of 5 August 2024, reports indicated that the Mujibnagar memorial complex was attacked and the statue of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was demolished. Around 300 sculptures were also vandalised, many of which had previously been major tourist attractions at the site.
