Dhaka, 15 August – Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Bangladesh JSD) has said that August 15 will remain an “indelible stain” on the history of Bangladesh, referring to the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most members of his family in 1975.
In a statement issued on Friday, the party strongly condemned the killings and announced its programme marking August 15.
The party said it will pay tribute to Bangabandhu at its office on Topkhana Road in Dhaka at 5pm on Saturday.
Condemning the August 15 killings, Bangladesh JSD said the brutal incident would remain an “indelible stain” on the country’s history.
“Bangladesh JSD believes that this stain on the nation can be removed only by ensuring the rule of law, justice and democracy in the country,” the statement said.
On August 15, 1975, then-President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated along with most members of his family.
After the Awami League returned to power in 1996, the day was declared National Mourning Day and a public holiday.
In 2001, the BNP-led four-party alliance government abolished both the National Mourning Day status and the public holiday.
Following a writ petition in 2008, the High Court scrapped the government decision. August 15 was subsequently observed as National Mourning Day and a public holiday.
However, after the Awami League-led government was ousted during the July uprising, the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus filed a leave-to-appeal petition challenging the 2008 High Court verdict.
On December 2, 2024, a bench led by then Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed stayed the High Court verdict. As a result, August 15 ceased to be observed as National Mourning Day and the public holiday was also cancelled.
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