Remembering that dark episode
The tragedy must strengthen resolve to build the nation
As we observe the National Mourning Day we recall the burden of pain and the blot on conscience that we have collectively carried owing to the dastardly assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with most members of his family 35 years ago to this day. The process of redemption, although taken forward, is yet to be completed and that's where we still have an unfinished duty on our hands.
The reason why the hurtful legacy has been a long drawn one and all the more reinforces the need for internalising the lessons left by it is the whole set of events and trends triggered by the conspiratorial act of misadventure of August 15. The politics of assassination, change of guard by violent means, adoption of extra constitutional methods for the usurpation of power, indemnification of the misdeeds including killings, codification of anti-thesis to the basic principles of the Constitution through amendments -- all owed their origins to that single apocalyptic event.
That a trial has been held after the annulment of the indemnity act and under a due process of law and convictions have been handed to the killers is a robust affirmation of the assertion of the rule of law and the principle of inalienable human rights and vindication of justice. However, the process of bringing all the killers to justice is yet to be completed. Those awaiting gallows notwithstanding, six convicts are still fugitives in foreign lands and what efforts the government have been making to bring them back and with what results the nation is left in the dark about.
With the infamous fifth amendment which changed the basic character of the 1972 constitution having been invalidated by the highest court, an opportunity has presented itself for restoring the fundamentals of the constitution. There is an element of redemption in this development, but the fact remains the nation can only come to terms with itself when those who killed Bangabandhu, the perpetrators of jail killings and those who committed war crimes are made to face the full force of law.
On this day of our mourning as we pay homage to the Bangabandhu's memory, one resolve that we must take is to end all controversies to accord him his place in history that is incontrovertible.
The tragedy has left behind a legacy of lessons learned and eroded nationals values vindicated, so that the whole experience should help us strengthen our resolve to build the nation.
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