Dhaka: The nation observes historic Mujibnagar Day on Friday in a befitting manner commemorating the formation of the provisional government of independent Bangladesh in exile during the War of Independence in 1971.

On this day in 1971, the provisional Bangladesh government in exile named ‘Mujibnagar Government’ was constituted with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the President, Syed Nazul Islam as vice president, Tajuddin Ahmed, prime minister, Khondokar Mostaque Ahmed, foreign minister, captain M Mansur Ali, finance minister and AHM Quamaruzzaman, home and relief minister. This core cabinet steered the liberation war to the victory on 16 December 1971.

In the absence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was arrested after declaration of country’s independence on the night of 25 March and kept in a jail in the then West Pakistan during the whole period of liberation war, Syed Nazrul Islam was chosen as the acting president of the provisional Bangladesh government.

Following Pakistan army’s dastardly attack on unarmed people on the night of 25-26 March in 1971, the senior leaders of Awami League assembled at the mango grove at Baidyanathtala under Meherpur sub-division in Kushtia district on 17 April to form the provisional government of independent Bangladesh.

Baidyanathtala was later renamed as Mujibnagar and so Bangladesh Government in exile was known as the Mujibnagar Government. The tiny mango grove-covered village witnessed the ceremonial formation of the provisional government of Bangladesh and millions of freedom loving people listened to the announcement of the formation of the government over radio.

On the eve of the historic day, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have sent separate messages.

Different political parties, socio-cultural-professional bodies and government and non-government organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day.

Bangladesh missions abroad will also organise programmes to mark the day.

The ruling Awami League has chalked out an elaborate programme to mark the historic Mujibnagar Day in Dhaka and in Mujibnagar.

As part of the programme, the national and party flags hoisted at Bangabandhu Bhaban in the city and party offices across the country at 6:00am.

Party leaders and activists placed wreaths at the portrait of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi in the city at 7:00am.

Party activists placed wreaths at the graves of the national leaders Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed and Captain M Mansur Ali at Banani in Dhaka and at the grave of AHM Quamaruzzaman in Rajshahi at 7:30 am.