Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has called upon the countrymen to observe August 15, the anniversary of the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members, by placing wreaths at the Bangabandhu Bhaban in the capital's Dhanmondi 32.
Her son Sajeed Wazed Joy confirmed the matter on Tuesday night attaching a statement issued by the ousted prime minister, Daily Sun reports.
The statement appeared hours after the Advisory Council of the interim government decided to scrap the public holiday on August 15.
Sheikh Hasina in her message paid respect to Bangabandhu and all other martyrs, including Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal, Sheikh Russel, Sultana Kamal, Parveen Jamal Rosy, Sheikh Abu Naser, Sheikh Fazlul Haque Mani, Abdur Rab Serniabat and Col Jamiluddin Ahmed, of the 15 August carnage and prayed for the salvation of their departed souls.
Claiming that many lives have been lost due to vandalism, arson and violence since last July, she condoled the deaths of students, teachers, police, pregnant women, journalists, cultural activists, leaders of the Awami League and affiliated organisations, and pedestrians who have died as a victim of terrorist attack and prayed for the salvation of their souls as well.
"My condolences to those like me who are living with the pain of losing loved ones. I demand that those involved in these killings and vandalism be properly investigated and the culprits be identified and punished accordingly," she mentioned in the statement.
Hasina said she and her sister dedicated the house of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to the people of the country but it was destroyed completely and Bangabandhu was humiliated.
"The memory that was the basis of our survival has been burnt to ashes. Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, under whose leadership we have gained self-esteem as an independent nation, got self-identity and became an independent country, has been grossly humiliated. They insulted the blood of millions of martyrs," read the statement.
Hasina sought justice for this humiliation and called the countrymen to observe National Mourning Day on August 15 with due respect and solemnity and pray for the salvation of the martyrs by placing wreaths and offering munajat at the Bangabandhu Bhaban.
bd-pratidin/GR
