On November 3 in 1975, four national leaders and heroes of the country’s Liberation War โ Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmad, Captain Mansur Ali and AHM Quamaruzzaman โ were assassinated inside the Dhaka Central Jail, less than three months after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family.
This brutal massacre is a dark episode in the country’s history. It was carried out by the pro-Pakistani clique of the Bangladesh Army, who had captured power on August 15 and formed a government with traitor Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad as the president and Major General Ziaur Rahman as the army chief.
Long-time associates of Bangabandhu, the four national leaders refused to join the usurpers’ cabinet when invited by Mostaq and were arrested on August 23.
They played a key role in different movements and the 1969 uprising. They also led the Mujibnagar government, which led the Liberation War in 1971 in the absence of Bangabandhu, with Syed Nazrul as the acting president, Tajuddin as the prime minister, Mansur Ali as the finance minister and Quamaruzzaman as the home, relief and rehabilitation minister.
With its political activities banned by the Jamaat-controlled Yunus regime, the Awami League and its associated bodies have announced to pay tribute to Syed Nazrul, Tajuddin and Mansur Ali at Banani graveyard. In addition, floral tributes will be paid at the tomb of Quamaruzzaman in Rajshahi on Monday.
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Prayers and supplications will be held in memory of all the martyrs of the Liberation War, including the four national leaders, and those who died in the movements for democratic rights.
On Sunday, the party requested leaders of various political, social and cultural organisations, including the Awami League, its associate organisations, and the people of the country, to hold discussions highlighting the importance and significance of the day in memory of the four national leaders.
In a statement, the Awami League said that on August 5, 2024, domestic and foreign conspirators conspired and usurped state power through a planned conspiracy. An evil nexus of anti-liberation groups was established.
With the assassination of the Father of the Nation in 1975, the politics of murder and conspiracy began to re-establish the Pakistani ideology by destroying the spirit and values โโof the great Liberation War.
The unconstitutional interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus has only been spreading mob violence and hatred with political motives. It is using the state machinery to carry out terrorist activities and indiscriminate killings of Awami League leaders, activists, supporters and religious minorities, which is tantamount to crimes against humanity.
Looting, arson, theft, rape, and robbery are going on in people’s homes without any hindrance. The lives of every citizen who believes in the spirit of the Liberation War have become miserable. Extreme anarchy and chaos are prevailing across the country.
On one hand, criminals and identified terrorists are being released and given impunity, on the other hand, leaders and activists of other parties, including the Awami League, are being arrested indiscriminately in false cases and detained day after day.
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An extreme farce is being carried out in the name of justice. Such adverse times came to Bangladesh after the assassination of Bangabandhu and his family members in 1975.
A steamroller of torture and torture was run over the leaders and activists of the Awami League. The people, uncompromising towards the spirit of the great Liberation War and the ideals of a non-communal Bangladesh, still did not bow their heads, the statement said.
โOur four national leaders were as steadfast as the Himalayas towards the spirit of the great Liberation War and the ideals of Bangabandhu. Even the fear of death could not sway them.
โToday, at the crossroads of the country and the nation, the four national leaders have become our endless source of inspiration. Their uncompromising attitude towards the spirit of the great Liberation War and the ideals of Bangabandhu are forever memorable and exemplary for us. Their sacrifice will provide fuel to keep the flame of our consciousness burning in the fight against any evil force,โ the party said.
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