Month of mourning begins

August, the month when Bangladesh lost its founding father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in 1975, begins on Thursday.

On August 15, 1975, disgruntled army officers assassinated the Father of the Nation along with most of his family. 

This tragic event remains one of the darkest chapters in the nation‍‍`s history, with the killers not only taking Bangabandhu‍‍`s life but also those of his wife, children, and other relatives.

The victims included Bangabandhu’s wife, Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib; sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal, and Sheikh Russell; daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal; his brother Sheikh Naser; brother-in-law Abdur Rab Serniabad; nephew and journalist Sheikh Fazlul Huq Moni; his pregnant wife Arzoo Moni; and military secretary Colonel Jamil.

Only Bangabandhu’s daughters, current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana, escaped the massacre as they were in Germany.

August is also marked by another dark event: on August 21, 2004, an attempt was made to assassinate Sheikh Hasina during an anti-terrorism rally at Bangabandhu Avenue. Sheikh Hasina narrowly survived, suffering injuries, while 24 of her party members were killed and 500 others injured.

This heinous attack is deeply etched in the nation‍‍`s memory. Each year, the Awami League and affiliated organizations observe this month with various commemorative activities, and this year will be no different.