Sheikh Mujib's assassination marks 51 years today

Today, August 15, marks the 51st death anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding leader of Bangladesh and former President and Prime Minister. On this day in 1975, he was assassinated by a group of disgruntled army personnel at his residence on Dhanmondi Road 32 in Dhaka.

The brutal assassination also claimed the lives of several members of his family and others who were present or came to his aid that night. Bangabandhu's wife, Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib; his sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and his youngest son Sheikh Russel; daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal; and his only brother, Sheikh Abu Naser, were among those killed.

Colonel Jamil, who rushed to Bangabandhu's residence after receiving a telephone call from him, was also killed. SB official Siddiqur Rahman and army personnel Syed Mahmudul Huq were among the other victims of the attack.

The same night, another group of army personnel attacked the residence of Bangabandhu's nephew, Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni, who was then a Jubo League leader. Sheikh Moni and his pregnant wife, Arju Moni, were killed in the attack.

The attackers also raided the residence of Bangabandhu's brother-in-law Abdur Rab Serniabat. Serniabat, his daughter Baby, son Arif Serniabat, grandson Sukanta Babu, his elder brother's son Sajeeb Serniabat and a relative, Abdul Naim Khan, were killed in the attack.

Bangabandhu's two daughters, Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana, survived the massacre as they were staying in Brussels, Belgium, at the time.

Twenty-one years after the assassination, the Awami League returned to power in 1996 under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina.