Wednesday, 27 August, 2025
The 50th death anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Friday was overshadowed by controversy rather than solemn remembrance.
Reports suggest that a group claiming to be BNP activists marked the day with chaos—dancing to DJ tracks in front of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Dhanmondi 32 residence, without holding a milad mahfil.
Among the crowd were also members of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir. Some visitors attempting to pay tribute reportedly faced assault and harassment despite tight security.
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman clarified that the party had not authorised or instructed anyone to commemorate Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s birthday in such a manner.
Later that evening, a truck carrying large speakers and a big screen appeared at the site, raising questions about whether BNP might be caught in a trap aimed at undermining its credibility ahead of the national elections in February.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s first president, was assassinated along with most of his family on 15 August 1975 during a military coup. His legacy remains divisive, with critics citing economic mismanagement, the famine of 1974, human rights violations, and authoritarianism.
An anonymous Awami League leader claimed that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was “secondarily killed” by his daughter, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India on 5 August 2024 following a student-led uprising against her administration.
Despite heavy police presence, members of the People’s Activist Coalition (PAC) distributed sweets early on Friday and described the day as “Najat Dibosh,” inviting police to participate, although officers declined.
Security measures prevented large gatherings at Dhanmondi 32, and some visitors were assaulted while attempting to pay tribute. Opposition groups reportedly contributed to the disruption.
Political critics argue that the early Friday night events may have been a deliberate attempt to damage BNP’s credibility ahead of the elections. BNP, founded by freedom fighter and independence proclaimer Ziaur Rahman, is viewed as a pro-Liberation party, whereas Jamaat-e-Islami is widely regarded as anti-Liberation.
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam Friday assured the public that the February elections would proceed as scheduled, urging citizens not to worry. Analysts suggest that if the elections are held peacefully and on time, BNP’s prospects for victory are stronger than other parties—provided the party avoids involvement in disruptive activities against Liberation forces.
With Awami League leaders abroad and the party’s activities banned, many argue that former Awami League supporters may vote for BNP. However, BNP leaders suspect that vested groups are attempting to sabotage the election process.
Tarique Rahman has warned party members that anyone undermining public trust or tarnishing the party’s image will not receive protection. “People, irrespective of party or opinion, must retain confidence in BNP. Anyone who destroys that trust will not find shelter in the party,” he said.
Tarique Rahman’s approach is grounded in political reality. Not all Awami League supporters condoned Sheikh Hasina’s controversial actions, and many respect Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for leading the Liberation War in 1971. Yet, Friday night’s events left some long-time supporters disillusioned.
“Until Friday, I intended to vote for BNP as it embodies the spirit of the Liberation War,” a local Awami League leader told this correspondent. “But what happened at Dhanmondi 32, I have lost confidence in BNP,” he added.
A senior journalist and former BCL leader echoed these concerns, suggesting that BNP may have fallen into a trap set by conspirators seeking to undermine its electoral chances. “Our supporters are frustrated with BNP’s role on Friday. Some have even begun saying Jamaat is preferable to BNP—which is absurd but true,” he told The Bangladesh Express.
Meanwhile, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Md Nahid Islam rejected Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s title as Father of the Nation, accusing him of laying the foundation for a one-party BAKSAL dictatorship and turning Bangladesh into a “tributary state of India.” NCP leader Nasir Uddin Patwary and Jamaat-e-Islami have both hinted at potential disruptions to the February elections, casting a shadow over the democratic process.
But Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JaSaD) has warned that equating independence architect Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with what it calls “fascist” Sheikh Hasina would risk allowing “fascism” to slip into the shadows. The party’s General Secretary Nazmul Haque Prodhan sounded the warning during a discussion held on Friday to mark the 50th death anniversary of Bangabandhu.
Prodhan, who fought in the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan, said: “Sheikh Mujib was the architect of the Liberation War —this is an undeniable historical truth. Even before returning to the country after independence, he took a clear position on sending back Indian troops stationed in Bangladesh, and ensured that it was implemented.
“While his governance after independence has been subject to debate and criticism, he and his family paid for his mistakes with their brutal deaths. Bangabandhu must be judged in the light of his entire life and struggle.
As Franklin D. Roosevelt famously said, “In politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way.” Recent events outside Dhanmondi 32 suggest that BNP could be facing a politically orchestrated trap designed to jeopardise its electoral prospects.
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The 50th death anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Friday was overshadowed by controversy rather than solemn remembrance.
Reports suggest that a group claiming to be BNP activists marked the day with chaos—dancing to DJ tracks in front of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Dhanmondi 32 residence, without holding a milad mahfil.
Among the crowd were also members of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir. Some visitors attempting to pay tribute reportedly faced assault and harassment despite tight security.
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman clarified that the party had not authorised or instructed anyone to commemorate Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s birthday in such a manner.
Later that evening, a truck carrying large speakers and a big screen appeared at the site, raising questions about whether BNP might be caught in a trap aimed at undermining its credibility ahead of the national elections in February.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s first president, was assassinated along with most of his family on 15 August 1975 during a military coup. His legacy remains divisive, with critics citing economic mismanagement, the famine of 1974, human rights violations, and authoritarianism.
An anonymous Awami League leader claimed that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was “secondarily killed” by his daughter, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India on 5 August 2024 following a student-led uprising against her administration.
Despite heavy police presence, members of the People’s Activist Coalition (PAC) distributed sweets early on Friday and described the day as “Najat Dibosh,” inviting police to participate, although officers declined.
Security measures prevented large gatherings at Dhanmondi 32, and some visitors were assaulted while attempting to pay tribute. Opposition groups reportedly contributed to the disruption.
Political critics argue that the early Friday night events may have been a deliberate attempt to damage BNP’s credibility ahead of the elections. BNP, founded by freedom fighter and independence proclaimer Ziaur Rahman, is viewed as a pro-Liberation party, whereas Jamaat-e-Islami is widely regarded as anti-Liberation.
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam Friday assured the public that the February elections would proceed as scheduled, urging citizens not to worry. Analysts suggest that if the elections are held peacefully and on time, BNP’s prospects for victory are stronger than other parties—provided the party avoids involvement in disruptive activities against Liberation forces.
With Awami League leaders abroad and the party’s activities banned, many argue that former Awami League supporters may vote for BNP. However, BNP leaders suspect that vested groups are attempting to sabotage the election process.
Tarique Rahman has warned party members that anyone undermining public trust or tarnishing the party’s image will not receive protection. “People, irrespective of party or opinion, must retain confidence in BNP. Anyone who destroys that trust will not find shelter in the party,” he said.
Tarique Rahman’s approach is grounded in political reality. Not all Awami League supporters condoned Sheikh Hasina’s controversial actions, and many respect Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for leading the Liberation War in 1971. Yet, Friday night’s events left some long-time supporters disillusioned.
“Until Friday, I intended to vote for BNP as it embodies the spirit of the Liberation War,” a local Awami League leader told this correspondent. “But what happened at Dhanmondi 32, I have lost confidence in BNP,” he added.
A senior journalist and former BCL leader echoed these concerns, suggesting that BNP may have fallen into a trap set by conspirators seeking to undermine its electoral chances. “Our supporters are frustrated with BNP’s role on Friday. Some have even begun saying Jamaat is preferable to BNP—which is absurd but true,” he told The Bangladesh Express.
Meanwhile, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Md Nahid Islam rejected Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s title as Father of the Nation, accusing him of laying the foundation for a one-party BAKSAL dictatorship and turning Bangladesh into a “tributary state of India.” NCP leader Nasir Uddin Patwary and Jamaat-e-Islami have both hinted at potential disruptions to the February elections, casting a shadow over the democratic process.
But Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JaSaD) has warned that equating independence architect Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with what it calls “fascist” Sheikh Hasina would risk allowing “fascism” to slip into the shadows. The party’s General Secretary Nazmul Haque Prodhan sounded the warning during a discussion held on Friday to mark the 50th death anniversary of Bangabandhu.
Prodhan, who fought in the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan, said: “Sheikh Mujib was the architect of the Liberation War —this is an undeniable historical truth. Even before returning to the country after independence, he took a clear position on sending back Indian troops stationed in Bangladesh, and ensured that it was implemented.
“While his governance after independence has been subject to debate and criticism, he and his family paid for his mistakes with their brutal deaths. Bangabandhu must be judged in the light of his entire life and struggle.
As Franklin D. Roosevelt famously said, “In politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way.” Recent events outside Dhanmondi 32 suggest that BNP could be facing a politically orchestrated trap designed to jeopardise its electoral prospects.
Comments
