Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam has remarked that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is "certainly not the Father of the Nation," accusing the Awami League of imposing its partisan commemorations as national days.
Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat on Wednesday (16 October), Adviser Nahid responded to a question regarding the Awami League’s controversial celebration of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the Father of the Nation.
He criticised the former ruling party, labelling it as fascist and guilty of voter suppression, disappearances, murders, and even genocide during their time in power.
When asked whether Bangabandhu should be recognised as the Father of the Nation, Nahid responded: "The Awami League ruled in a fascist manner, usurping people’s voting rights through disappearances, killings, and genocide. Therefore, whatever they declared—whether Bangabandhu was the Father of the Nation or which days they declared national holidays—such things will not continue in the new Bangladesh we are building. We must adopt a new perspective towards history."
Addressing the removal of 7 March from the list of national days, he acknowledged the historical importance of the date but stated it does not merit being a national holiday.
"The Awami League has diluted the significance of many of these days," he added.
Clarifying that 7 March is not being erased from history, Nahid reiterated: "Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is certainly not the Father of the Nation. Many others contributed to this land’s history and fought for it. History has a multiplicity of narratives. The Awami League, however, has disregarded Maulana Bhashani’s contributions, and the time has come to recognise everyone's role."
Nahid also revealed plans to establish a new national day prioritising 5 August.
"Other days could be instituted in light of the significance of the July uprising, but for now, we are focusing on 5 August."
The Information Advisor highlighted the challenges of reshaping governance in the new Bangladesh, stating, "Many decisions have to be made in this new Bangladesh. The bureaucracy cannot be abolished outright, but it is being restructured. Anyone can face allegations, so the government is conducting thorough investigations. The interim government’s duty is to give voice to everyone, and it is working with public support."
Meanwhile, the interim government has announced the cancellation of eight national days, including the 15 August anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s assassination and National Mourning Day.
This decision was shared via a post on the verified Facebook page of the interim government’s Chief Advisor.
According to the advisory council, the cancelled days include 7 March (speech of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman), 17 March (Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s birthday and National Children’s Day), 5 August (birth anniversary of Sheikh Hasina’s brother, Captain Sheikh Kamal), 8 August (birth anniversary of Sheikh Hasina’s mother, Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib), 15 August (Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s death anniversary and National Mourning Day), 18 October (Sheikh Russell Day), 4 November (Constitution Day), and 12 December (Smart Bangladesh Day).
