Dhaka: The nation observes historic Mujibnagar Day on Sunday in a befitting manner commemorating the formation of the provisional government of Bangladesh in exile during the War of Liberation in 1971.

On this day (17 April, 1971), the provisional government in exile named Mujibnagar Government was constituted with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the President, Syed Nazul Islam as vice president, Tajuddin Ahmed, Prime Minister, Khondokar Mostaque Ahmed, Foreign Minister, M Mansur Ali, Finance Minister and AHM Quamaruzzaman Home and Relief Minister. This core cabinet steered the liberation war to the victory on 16 December that year.

In the absence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was arrested after declaration of country’s independence on the night of 25 March  and kept in a jail in the then West Pakistan during the whole period of liberation war, Syed Nazrul Islam was chosen as the acting president of the provisional Bangladesh government.

Following Pakistan army’s dastardly attack on unarmed people in the night of 25-26 March in 1971, the senior leaders of Awami League assembled at the mango grove at Baidyanathtala under Meherpur sub-division in Kushtia on April 17 to form the provisional government of independent Bangladesh.

Col. (later General) MAG Osmani was made the Commander-in-Chief of the Mukti Bahini while Major General Abdur Rob was appointed as the Chief of Staff by the government in exile.

Baidyanathtala was later renamed as Mujibnagar and so Bangladesh Government in exile was known as the Mujibnagar Government. The tiny mango grove-covered village witnessed the ceremonial formation of the provisional government of Bangladesh and millions of freedom loving people listened to the announcement of the formation of the government over radio.

The Mujibnagar Government led the war of liberation in 1971 and freed the country from the clutches of Pakistani occupation forces on 16 December the same year, fighting a nine-month-long war.

Marking the day the national flag will be hoisted at the Memorial Monument at Mujibnagar immediately after sunrise tomorrow.

On the eve of the historic day, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sent separate messages.

Different political parties, socio-cultural-professional bodies and government and non-government organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day.

Bangladesh missions abroad will also hold programmes to mark the day.

The National Dailies will publish special supplement while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and other private television channels and radio stations will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.

The ruling Awami League has chalked out two-day long programme to mark the historic Mujibnagar Day.

As part of the programme, the national and party flags hoisted at Bangabandhu Bhaban in the city and party offices across the country at 6:00am.

Party leaders and workers placed wreaths at the portrait of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Bhaban in the city at about 7:00am.

Party’s rank-and-files will also place wreaths at the graves of the national leaders Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed and Captain Mohammad Mansur Ali at Banani in Dhaka and at the grave of AHM Quamaruzzaman at about 7:30am in Rajshahi.

The programme at Mujibnagar includes; hoisting of national flag at about 6:00am, placing wreath at the Mujibnagar Memorial at about 10:00am, presenting guard of honour by freedom fighters, police, Ansar-VDP and holding of a mass rally at about 10:30am at Sheikh Hasina Mancha.

AL General Secretary and Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam will preside over the rally.

Al will organize another discussion on 18 April at Krishibid Institution auditorium in Dhaka at about 3:00pm.