By: Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain
August 15, 1975, is a shameful and bloody chapter in the history of the Bengali nation. A gang of
assassins brutally took away the greatest Bengali, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, on Road No.
32 in Dhanmondi. That day, the stairs of house No. 32 were covered in blood along with his family. This
grief wounded not only the soul of one family, but also the soul of the entire independent Bangladesh.
In the words of the poet, “Dhanmondi, soaked in blood, cries today.”
1. On the night of August 15, 1975, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the architect of independent
Bangladesh, was murdered along with his family at House No. 32 in Dhanmondi. That day, the gang of
assassins wanted to erase not only a head of state, but also the map and heartbeat of a newly
independent country. On this terrible night in history, it seemed as if the sky of Bengal was also covered
in pitch black darkness. Every corner of that historic house in Dhanmondi was stained with blood that
day.
That day, Bangabandhu's wife, Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, was martyred one by one by the assassin's
brutal bullet. She remained by Bangabandhu's side with utmost courage throughout her life, in good
times and bad. His eldest son and heroic freedom fighter Sheikh Kamal was not spared from this
demonic attack. Sheikh Kamal's newlywed wife Sultana Kamal lost her life in this cruel chapter of
history.
Lieutenant Sheikh Jamal, Bangabandhu's eldest son and a young army officer, was also martyred in this
bloodshed. The assassin's bullet also took away Sheikh Jamal's wife Rosie Jamal. The happy family of the
newlyweds was shattered in an instant. Bangabandhu's younger brother Sheikh Abu Naser was also not
spared from this vicious attack. The group of assassins indiscriminately killed innocent and unarmed
people.
That day, Bangabandhu's nephew and youth leader Sheikh Fazlul Haque Mani and his pregnant wife
Begum Arju Mani also lost their lives in this house in Dhanmondi. At the same time, brother-in-law and
minister Abdur Rob Serniabat was martyred. 10-year-old child Sheikh Russell was also not spared.
Russell's screams echoed on the walls that day. The assassins also pierced the chest of the innocent child
that day.
On this terrible night, the assassins also attacked outside Dhanmondi. Abdur Rob Serniabat was killed
along with his family members and guests at his official residence on Minto Road. Inspector General of
Police Khondaker Lutful Haque's car was also attacked. The housemaid and close relatives of the house
also lost their lives that night. In all, about twenty people were brutally murdered that day. The soil of
Bengal was stained with blood that day.
Colonel Jamil Uddin Ahmed, a member of the President's Guard, also gave his life that day. He had
rushed towards Dhanmondi with a fervent prayer to save Bangabandhu and his family. The assassin's

bullet also took his life on the road. Many others were injured that day in this brutal murder. Every brick
of house number 32 was stained with blood that day. History has become a day of eternal pain.
That history soaked in the blood of martyrs still pains us. Like the poet Sukanta, we have to say, "This
whale will be gone, a new dawn will appear." But that black morning of August 15 is not easy to erase
from the minds of Bengalis. Not only people were murdered that day, but the fundamental right of
democracy was also murdered. The smell of that blood still lingers in the air of Bengal.
This tragic incident teaches us the absolute necessity of political tolerance. This murder clearly shows
how the blind greed for power can consume humanity. It has been proven that the politics of division
and conspiracy is suicidal for a country. We must forever accept this lesson that national independence
is in danger if we are not united. Everyone must always be vigilant in the national interest.
Secondly, this atrocity has taught us how dangerous blind partisanship and the lust for power can be.
The culture of seizing power with weapons while showing the thumbs down to the rule of law sets the
country back in the long run. Failure to maintain democratic continuity causes irreparable damage to the
nation. The tendency to not respect the mandate of the people pushes the country towards extreme
anarchy. We must remember this lesson in running the state.
Thirdly, August 15 teaches us how great the destruction is in the absence of the immense power of
patriotism. Without self-sacrifice for the welfare of the country and the people, independence becomes
meaningless. No nation can move forward without the practice of tolerance and democratic values. We
must bear this realization in our hearts.
Fourthly, this day reminds us that the politics of conspiracy and military intervention break the
economic and social backbone of any country. If multi-party democracy and freedom of expression are
blocked, the dynamics of society are destroyed. The importance of maintaining political stability is
immense. We must learn from wrong decisions in running the state and choose the right path.
Fifthly, August 15 has taught us that we must always be vocal in favor of humanity and against injustice.
The culture of impunity increases crime. Justice can only be established by bringing criminals under
strict laws. To maintain peace and order in society, the rule of law must be ensured. We must spread
this lesson to the next generation.
2. Our first lesson from this terrible tragedy of 1975 is to maintain national unity. Regardless of party
affiliation, everyone must stand on one platform for the sake of the country. We must forget our
differences among ourselves and focus on nation-building. Disunity and conflict strengthen the hands of
the enemy. Therefore, protecting national unity is our main responsibility.
The second lesson is that the flow of democracy cannot be allowed to be disrupted under any
circumstances. The evil attempt to change power by force of arms leads the country towards darkness.
The people's right to vote and freedom of expression must be kept intact forever. We must avoid
authoritarian mentality and embrace democratic values. We must have faith in the power of the people.

Thirdly, we need to learn what patriotism really means. We need to prioritize the sovereignty and
welfare of the country over personal or party interests. We need to make the young generation aware
of any anti-national conspiracy. We need to read the truth of history impartially. We need to create a
mindset of dedicating ourselves to the pull of the motherland.
The fourth lesson is to establish the rule of law and ensure justice for crimes. We need to come out of
the culture of impunity and give priority to justice. It is the responsibility of the state to ensure that no
criminal is above the law. When punishment for crimes is ensured, the tendency of crime in society
decreases. Everyone must respect the law.
The fifth lesson is to maintain tolerance and political etiquette. We need to develop a culture of
respecting differences in the state and society. We need to come out of the politics of revenge and
revenge. Development is possible only by maintaining a peaceful environment. The bond of harmony
must be strengthened.
3. Our first task in the future Bangladesh is to revive the non-communal and democratic spirit. All kinds
of extremism and blindness must be removed from society forever. A beautiful society must be built by
maintaining mutual harmony and brotherhood. The fundamental rights of people must be ensured. We
must move forward on the path of progress.
Secondly, our future task is to inspire the young generation of the country in the correct history. The
story of the spirit and sacrifice of the Liberation War must be spread among the new generation. The
structure of state governance must be created based on merit and honesty. We must eliminate
corruption and nepotism and establish good governance. We must work motivated by patriotism.
Thirdly, our task is to ensure a strong and independent judiciary. The rule of law must be well
established in every aspect of life. Strict legal steps must be taken to prevent human rights violations.
Accountability must be ensured to prevent abuse of power. The state must be oriented towards public
welfare.
Fourth, our last task is to transform national mourning into strength and build a prosperous Bangladesh.
The culture of violence and conflict must be erased forever. We must move forward with the message of
peace and unity in the days ahead. Bangabandhu's dream of building a golden Bengal must be
transformed into reality. We will sing the victory song of liberation in the language of the poet.
Finally, it can be said that this ruthless bloodshed of history makes us cry, but it shows the way to new
light. The bloody history of house number 32 reminds us of the glory of honesty and sacrifice. After
overcoming all the darkness, Bangladesh will one day reach the peak of truth and beauty. The future of
a united Bengal will be bright and secure. May humanity win, may Bangladesh win.

Writer: Essayist, Literary Writer. Email Address: eddanwar@gmail.com