The interim government of Bangladesh The caretaker government on Tuesday cancelled the August 15 public holiday, traditionally observed as the National Day of Mourning, in a move that highlights the country’s current state of turmoil. The date commemorates the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s founding leader, on August 15, 1975. “The decision to cancel the August 15 public holiday, declared as the National Day of Mourning, was approved at Tuesday’s meeting of the Council of Advisors, based on broad consensus during discussions with political parties,” a statement from the caretaker government’s office said.
The interior adviser had said earlier that a significant number of police would be deployed on August 15 to maintain order. “We will make sure that no one causes any trouble. Security measures will be comprehensive, with the presence of the police, the BGB, the RAB and possibly the army.”
The decision comes in the wake of unprecedented student protests that led to the dismissal of Sheikh HasinaHasina, a former prime minister and daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was forced to resign and flee the country on August 5 amid mounting pressure from anti-quota protesters and the military. With Hasina now in India, the Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus He has been appointed head of the interim government.
Following Hasina’s departure, Bangladesh has suffered severe communal violence, especially against the Hindu community. The interim government, led by Yunus, has pledged to address these problems by bringing those responsible for the violence to justice. Measures taken include setting up a hotline to report incidents and providing financial assistance to affected victims.
The caretaker government’s advisor on religious affairs, Abul Fayez Muhammad Khalid Hossain, has condemned the attacks on minorities and promised strict action against the perpetrators. Similarly, Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain, the caretaker government’s advisor on home affairs, has apologised to the Hindu community, acknowledging the government’s failure to protect them during the recent violence and urging the society to support minority communities.
According to recent reports, hundreds of Bangladeshi Hindus have attempted to flee to India following attacks on their homes and businesses. The violence has led to the deaths of at least two Hindu leaders affiliated with Hasina’s Awami League party and widespread destruction in 45 of the country’s 64 districts. The death toll from the ongoing unrest has surpassed 560, with more than 230 people killed in the past week alone, following anti-quota protests that began in mid-July.
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