Editorial
The resolve of 15th August
Rise above divisive tendencies and build a prosperous nation
Thirty-seven years ago we lost the man to whom we owe so much as an independent nation. Even from his confinement in Pakistani jail, Bangabandhu's sway on the Bengali people remained as overwhelming as ever that guided them and the freedom fighters to wrest independence from the clutches of the Pakistani junta.
But there were enemies of the Bengalee people, who could never accept our separate nationhood. They could not put up either with Bangabandhu's towering personality and his undisputed leadership over the people. They never stopped their sinister designs to deprive the Bengalees of their leader, the very well-spring they derived their strength and energy from. So darkness fell on the fateful night of August 15, 1975 when they took their revenge by assassinating Bangabandhu along with majority members of his family and many of his close, life-long comrades in politics.
The sole aim of his assassins was to make the nation leaderless. It cannot be denied that they succeeded partially. The trail of blood that his murder left in its wake did not dry off so soon. The enemies of the people had their day and soon set to work to divide the people and play one group against another. Bloody revolts in the armed forces continued and one military dictator after another usurped state power.
The nation is still reeling from the shock of the unexpected end of Bangabandhu's life. But in the main, the killers have been meted out the punishment they deserved. Now the process remains to be closed with bringing the fugitives to trial.
The dream of building an exploitation-free, democratic and egalitarian society that he had infused among the Bengalee people is yet to be fulfilled. And that is where the struggle lies now.
True, Bangabandhu is not physically present amongst us. Yet his presence is felt every moment in the very fact that we are a free and independent people.
So, the only way to show real respect to his memory is through strengthening the institutions of democracy and working hard to realise the dream of a strong and prosperous Bangladesh.
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