Editorial
Government decision on National Mourning Day
Bangabandhu's pre-eminence should be above politics
THE Council of Advisers has made a judicious move by deciding to reinstate August 15 as National Mourning Day. It is a step that will surely resonate with the sentiments of a nation which was clearly traumatised by the tragic incidents of August 15, 1975. Indeed, the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, along with most of his family members, on the day remains a blot on our collective national conscience. It is ironic that on such a vital issue as a proper observance of August 15, it remained for the higher judiciary to step in to resolve the matter. By the same measure, we can certainly say that when the last political government decided to do away with the observance of National Mourning Day in 2002, it proved itself unable to rise above party politics.
By opting to show respect to the recent High Court ruling on the matter of August 15, the government has in broad measure informed the country that a non-partisan approach needs to be adopted on the issue. We at this newspaper, having consistently argued in defence of the rule of law and the paramountcy of morality in national life, would like to state here that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, by his very role in the growth of nationalism and our onward march to freedom, historically enjoys a pre-eminent position that no one can or should begrudge him. Unfortunately, though, that is precisely what has been done through the years. Now that we go back to recalling his contributions to our national history through remembering him on August 15, it remains our hope that everyone in this country, irrespective of political belief or inclination, will observe the day with the solemnity and serious reflection it deserves. It is absolutely necessary that Bangabandhu, as the symbol of our struggle for freedom, be kept above party politics and beyond party propaganda in the interest of national unity. Any attempt to trivialise him and his place in history or confer upon him a partisan label can only keep divisive politics, which we have so long been victim to, alive to our own detriment.
The decision to observe August 15 as National Mourning Day is, in our view, aimed at putting an end to all political controversies arising out of the gruesome incidents of August 15, 1975. Let the day, from here on, be an opportunity for self-analysis and introspection on the part of the nation. At the same time, let it be from now on the responsibility of all future governments to observe the day in the larger national interest and in the interest of history.
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