The historic Homecoming Day of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the greatest Bangalee of all time, is being observed across the country today (Jan 10). 

On this day in 1972, Bangabandhu, the supreme commander of the country’s Liberation War, returned to independent Bangladesh via London and New Delhi after 290 days of captivity in a Pakistan jail.

Bangabandhu proclaimed independence of Bangladesh in the wee hours of March 26 and called upon the people from all walks of life to join the liberation war against the Pakistan occupation forces.     

Soon after the declaration of independence, Pakistani military junta arrested Bangabandhu from his Dhanmondi residence in Dhaka and launched a crackdown code-named ‘Operation Searchlight’ on the unarmed Bangalees.

The Pakistan military government sent Bangabandhu to a prison in West Pakistan.

Bangabandhu was subjected to inhuman torture in the Pakistan jail where he had been counting moments for execution of his death sentence awarded through a farcical trial.

He was released from jail on January 8, 1972.

Following his release, Bangabandhu flew to London where he met then British Prime Minister Edward Heath and addressed the international media there.

“I was a prisoner in the condemned cell awaiting hanging. From the day I went to jail, I didn’t know whether I would live or not. I was mentally ready to die. But I knew Bangladesh would be liberated,” Bangabandhu told the news conference in an emotion-choked voice about his ordeal in the prison.

About the Pakistani army’s killing of Bangalees, he said, “If Hitler had been alive today, he would have been ashamed.”  
  
Bangabandhu flew to Dhaka on January 10, 1972 after a brief stopover in Delhi where he was accorded a reception by then Indian President VV Giri and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, council of ministers, chiefs of three services and other dignitaries and common people.

On his return to the country, tens of thousands of people standing by the road from the airport to Racecourse Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan) greeted the great leader.  

Bangabandhu addressed a huge gathering of people at the historic ground where the Pakistani occupation forces surrendered to the allied forces.

He recalled with respect the contribution of all to the war and urged the people to rebuild the war-ravaged country.

Bangabandhu took oath of office as the country’s prime minister on January 12, 1972.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve of the day paying glowing tributes to the Father of the Nation.

Ruling Awami League (AL) has taken various programmes to observe the historic day.

AL's programmes will begin with hoisting of the national and party flags at the AL central office, Bangabandhu Bhaban, and its party offices across the country at 6.30am tomorrow while party leaders and activists will pay homage to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban in the city's Dhanmondi-32 at 8.30am.

On the occasion, a rally will be held at Suhrawardy Udyan here at 2.30pm on the day with AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

Besides, all district, city, upazila, thana, union and ward level units of the AL, its' associate and likeminded bodies will organise similar programmes to observe the day in a befitting manner.

In a statement today, AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader urged all party leaders and activists and its associate and likeminded bodies to observe the programmes taken to mark the Bangabandhu's Homecoming Day in a befitting manner.

BDST: 0827 HRS, JAN 10, 2024
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