Bangladesh Celebrates 106th Birthday of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu

Today is the 106th birth anniversary of the undisputed leader of Bangladesh and Father of the Nation, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

He was born on 17 March 1920 in Tungipara, Gopalganj District. His father was Sheikh Lutfur Rahman and his mother was Sayera Khatun.

Born during British rule, Bangabandhu became active in politics from his teenage years. While studying at Gopalganj Mission School, he was imprisoned for the first time for participating in the anti-British movement. Later, while studying at Islamia College, Kolkata, he came into contact with the then prominent leaders Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy and Abul Hashim, and played an active role in student politics.

His political career began in 1940 through joining the All India Muslim Students Federation. In 1946, he was elected General Secretary of the Islamia College Students Union in Kolkata. Later, on 4 January 1948, he established the East Pakistan Muslim Students League. By leading the Six-Point Movement of 1966, the Mass Uprising of 1969 in East Pakistan, and the 1970 Pakistani general election, he emerged as the undisputed leader of the Bengali people.

On 7 March 1971, his historic speech at the Racecourse Maidan gave new momentum to the struggle for the independence of the Bengali nation. Before being arrested by Pakistani forces, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared independence in the early hours of 26 March 1971. Through the long nine-month Bangladesh Liberation War, an independent Bangladesh was established on 16 December.

After being released from a Pakistani prison on 8 January 1972, he returned to the country on 10 January via London and Delhi, and devoted himself to rebuilding the war-ravaged nation. However, on 15 August 1975, he was assassinated along with most of his family in the tragic Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

While leading the anti-Pakistan movement, Bangabandhu spent a total of 4,682 days in prison at different times. Out of the 24 years of the Pakistan period, he had to remain imprisoned for nearly 13 years. During this time, he spent eight birthdays in prison.

Bangabandhu himself did not celebrate his birthday in a grand manner. Usually, he spent the day simply. Family members would convey greetings in a homely environment, while party leaders and activists would commemorate the anniversary through various programs.