Bangladesh drops the title of ‘Father of the Nation' for Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
The new notification brought on June 3 does not refer to Sheikh Mujib as the 'Father of the Nation' while referring to the war of 1971 and the role of freedom fighters. In contrast, the 2022 Act referred to him as Jatir Pita, (Father of the Nation) at multiple points while describing the heritage of the war of 1971.
Earlier this week, the Yunus government introduced a series of currency notes that depicted the pluralistic heritage of Bangladesh while removing the well-known image of Mujibur Rahman that is seen in existing currency notes of Bangladesh. The interim government has defended the removal of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the 'Liberation War Act ' and said, he continues to be a 'freedom fighter'.
In a statement to the media, the interim government said, 'President of the 1971 government of Bangladesh-in-exile Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other leaders like Tajuddin Ahmed, Mansur Ali, and AHM Quamruzzaman continue to be freedom fighters'.
Under the Bir Mukti Joddha category, the 2022 law used to include veterans of Mujib Bahini, one of the several guerrilla outfits of 1971, as the 'freedom fighters'. However, the latest version of the act skips the mention of Mujib Bahini. The latest notification means the surviving members of the Mujib Bahini and their family members will not be eligible to claim the benefits that are given to the 1971 freedom fighters in Bangladesh.
The new definition of freedom fighters, as per the notification, will include people who helped the cause of independence by advocacy and campaigning while being outside or inside the country.
Adding a new section to the definition of freedom fighters, the new act has included, 'Associates of Liberation War' or those who 'supported freedom of Bangladesh during 26 March to 16 December 1971'.
The interim government formed after the Sheikh Hasina government's removal in August 2024 has been vocal about the alleged excesses committed during the Awami League's rule of 15 years between 2009-2024.
Earlier in May, the interim government suspended political activities by the Awami League that was co-founded by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, along with Maulana Bhashani and Husayn Shaheed Suhrawardy.
The uprising that unseated Sheikh Hasina had also targeted the symbols related to her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Soon after the departure of Ms. Hasina on August 5, 2024, a statue of Sheikh Mujib was destroyed, and the museum at 32 Dhanmondi, where Sheikh Mujib was assassinated along with most of his family members on August 15, 1975, was destroyed by a mob on 5 February 2025..
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
16 hours ago
- Business Standard
B'desh interim govt pursuing extradition of former PM Sheikh Hasina
Foreign Affairs Advisor to B'desh Interim Government, Md Towhid Hossain stated that a letter was sent to India requesting Hasina's extradition and noted that necessary follow-ups would also be made ANI Asia Foreign Affairs Advisor to Bangladesh's Interim Government, Md Towhid Hossain, on Thursday, indicated that the country's interim government is actively pursuing the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India, a year after her ousting from the country. Responding to questions about the lack of progress on the extradition process and whether the current interim government had any regrets about not being able to bring Hasina back to the country, Hossain stated that they had sent a letter to India requesting the same and noted that necessary follow-ups would also be made. "We have sent a letter. We will follow up if necessary," he stated. Sheikh Hasina was ousted on August 5 last year, after a student-led uprising. She is now living in India in self-imposed exile. After Sheikh Hasina's fall, an interim government was formed under the leadership of Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus. Earlier on Wednesday, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), a Bangladesh court designated for the trial of international crimes, sentenced Hasina to six months in prison in a contempt of court case. A three-member tribunal led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder gave this order. Earlier, AY Moshiuzzaman, a senior lawyer, was appointed as amicus curiae (friend of the court) by the ICT for a full hearing of the contempt of court case. The Chief Prosecutor filed a contempt of court complaint against Sheikh Hasina and Awami League leader Shakil Alam Bulbul on April 30, in light of their statements regarding the case related to the July mass uprising incident. The formal charges stated that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was the mastermind behind the inhumane acts, such as crimes against humanity, murders, and the burning of bodies across the country during the movement to overthrow the government in 2024. These crimes were organised on her orders. "There are 227 cases against me, so I have a licence to kill 227 people," Sheikh Hasina said in an alleged audio clip that went viral a few months ago. Later, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the police conducted a forensic examination of the conversation and found its authenticity. After that, a contempt of court application was filed with the tribunal. The prosecution said that Sheikh Hasina did not appear in person or provide an explanation through a lawyer even after the notice was published in the newspaper. In this situation, the tribunal can now punish those involved by the law. Earlier in the day, anti-national and anti-independence forces had staged a mock trial against Sheikh Hasina in a kangaroo court formed to implement their political objectives in Bangladesh, the Awami League said in a statement.
India Today
19 hours ago
- India Today
Bangladesh seeks extradition of ex-PM Sheikh Hasina from India: Report
Bangladesh's interim government has formally begun efforts to extradite former prime minister Sheikh Hasina from India, nearly a year after her ousting following a student-led uprising, news agency ANI Affairs Advisor to the interim administration, Md Towhid Hossain, confirmed on Thursday that a formal request had been sent to Indian authorities. "We have sent a letter. We will follow up if necessary," Hossain said, responding to questions about delays in the push for extradition follows a fresh legal setback for Hasina. On Wednesday, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) sentenced her to six months in prison in a contempt of court case. A three-member panel led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder passed the ruling after Hasina failed to respond to court notices or submit an to ANI, the contempt case stems from comments made by Hasina and Awami League leader Shakil Alam Bulbul about an ongoing trial linked to the July 2024 uprising. Prosecutors said an alleged viral audio clip of Hasina, in which she is heard saying, 'There are 227 cases against me, so I have a licence to kill 227 people', was found authentic through forensic analysis by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The clip prompted legal action earlier this tribunal also appointed senior lawyer AY Moshiuzzaman as amicus curiae for the proceedings. Despite public notices, Hasina reportedly failed to respond, prompting the court to proceed in ICT has also accused Hasina of orchestrating violence during the anti-government movement, including crimes against humanity and targeted killings. Formal charges state that these acts were ordered directly by a statement, the Awami League denounced the tribunal's decision, calling it a 'mock trial' orchestrated by 'anti-national and anti-independence forces' to serve political has been living in self-imposed exile in India since August 5, 2024, after being deposed amid mass protests. Following her departure, a transitional government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was formed.- EndsWith inputs from ANI
India Gazette
20 hours ago
- India Gazette
Bangladesh pursuing extradition of Sheikh Hasina, says Interim govt advisor
Dhaka [Bangladesh], July 4 (ANI): Foreign Affairs Advisor to Bangladesh's Interim Government, Md Towhid Hossain, on Thursday, indicated that the country's interim government is actively pursuing the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India, a year after her ousting from the country. Responding to questions about the lack of progress on the extradition process and whether the current interim government had any regrets about not being able to bring Hasina back to the country, Hossain stated that they had sent a letter to India requesting the same and noted that necessary follow-ups would also be made. 'We have sent a letter. We will follow up if necessary,' he stated. Sheikh Hasina was ousted on August 5 last year, after a student-led uprising. She is now living in India in self-imposed exile. After Sheikh Hasina's fall, an interim government was formed under the leadership of Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus. Earlier on Wednesday, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), a Bangladesh court designated for the trial of international crimes, sentenced Hasina to six months in prison in a contempt of court case. A three-member tribunal led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder gave this order. Earlier, AY Moshiuzzaman, a senior lawyer, was appointed as amicus curiae (friend of the court) by the ICT for a full hearing of the contempt of court case. The Chief Prosecutor filed a contempt of court complaint against Sheikh Hasina and Awami League leader Shakil Alam Bulbul on April 30, in light of their statements regarding the case related to the July mass uprising incident. The formal charges stated that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was the mastermind behind the inhumane acts, such as crimes against humanity, murders, and the burning of bodies across the country during the movement to overthrow the government in 2024. These crimes were organised on her orders. 'There are 227 cases against me, so I have a licence to kill 227 people,' Sheikh Hasina said in an alleged audio clip that went viral a few months ago. Later, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the police conducted a forensic examination of the conversation and found its authenticity. After that, a contempt of court application was filed with the tribunal. The prosecution said that Sheikh Hasina did not appear in person or provide an explanation through a lawyer even after the notice was published in the newspaper. In this situation, the tribunal can now punish those involved by the law. Earlier in the day, anti-national and anti-independence forces had staged a mock trial against Sheikh Hasina in a kangaroo court formed to implement their political objectives in Bangladesh, the Awami League said in a statement. (ANI)
