International Relations Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Professor Dr. Gowher Rizvi has urged all to strengthen further the Prime Minister’s hand in her effort to achieve Bangabandhu's dream of Sonar Bangla.

"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working relentlessly to reinstate Bangabandhu's values for establishing a progressive, secular, and democratic Bangladesh," said Dr Rizvi, an internationally renowned historian and researcher.

He was speaking as the chief guest at Bangladesh High Commission, London’s commemorative event on the 48th  martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Mourning Day 2023.

"Bangabandhu's assassination on August 15, 1975, was aimed to thwart his vision of establishing a democratic, progressive, secular, and Bengali nationalism-based Bangladesh and regress the country to its pre-independence state," he said.

High Commissioner for Bangladesh to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem delivered the welcome speech at the high-profile event, organised on Tuesday in East London.

Internationally renowned lawyer Sultana Kamal was the special guest at the event, said the High Commission on Wednesday.

Eminent organiser of Bangladesh’s War of Liberation in the UK Freedom Fighter Sultan Mahmud Sharif, Valiant Freedom Fighter Lokman Hossain, Member of London Assembly Unmes Desai, former BBC journalist and editor of London-based news magazine ‘Asian Affairs’ Duncan Bartlett and British-Bangladeshi community personality Noim Uddin Riaz spoke on the occasion.

Paying profound respect to Bangabandhu and all the martyrs of the 15 August 1975 carnage, High Commissioner Saida Muna Tasneem said, ”The premeditated brutal assassination of Bangabandhu to eliminate his entire family and the secular and progressive values by a few treacherous anti-liberation, anti-democracy and anti-secular forces is also recorded as an incident of unprecedented barbarism in human history and a gross violation of international humanitarian law as it stands apart from political assassinations of other contemporary leaders such as Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and John F Kennedy.”

The High Commissioner said fortunately, the two daughters of Bangabandhu, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana survived the assassination as they were abroad at that time, and are carrying forward Bangabandhu’s legacy until this day.

The High Commissioner noted that Bangabandhu’s maiden UK visit as the President of the newly independent Bangladesh on 8 January 1972 laid the foundation of progressive, inclusive, democratic, and secular Bangladesh-UK relations in 1972.

She urged all British-Bangladeshi youths to embrace the values of the 1971 War of Liberation and draw inspiration from Bangabandhu’s unwavering commitment to Bengali nationalism, democracy, freedom, inclusiveness, and secularism.

Describing the unmatched brutality of 15 August 1975 when the 10-year-old innocent youngest son of Bangabandhu with no connection to politics was mercilessly murdered, eminent lawyer Sultana Kamal said that the carnage was the ultimate crime against humanity.

The lawyer cautioned all about the conspirators who still want to destroy the spirit of the 1971 War of Liberation and derail Bangladesh from the ideals of Bangabandhu.

British journalist Duncan Bartlett shared a similar sentiment, stating that the brutal assassination of Bangabandhu and most of his family members aimed at erasing his name from Bangladesh's history.

However, the conspiracy failed in two significant ways.

Firstly, Duncan Bartlett said, Bangabandhu's values continue to inspire and guide individuals who seek to uphold his legacy.

Secondly, Bangladesh's remarkable economic progress is a testament to the enduring spirit of Bangabandhu, which serves as a driving force for the country.

"The Economist, a publication I am currently affiliated with, has recognized Bangladesh as an impressive economic performer."

During his speech, Freedom Fighter Sultan Mahmud Sharif urged British-Bangladeshi to stay alert against any attempts to hinder Bangladesh's ongoing progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who embodies the legacy of Bangabandhu and the spirit of the 1971 War of Liberation.

At the event, the High Commissioner along with the guests and senior officials of the London High Commission placed a floral wreath on Bangabandhu’s portrait and unwrapped the cover of a Bangladesh High Commission’s commemorative publication on the 48th Martyrdom Anniversary of Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Mourning Day 2023.

A documentary on Bangabandhu by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs was also screened. Dedicating to Bangabandhu and the martyrs of 15 August 1975, renowned vocalist Munira Begum and Counsellor (political) at the Bangladesh High Commission, London Dewan Mahmudul Haque recited poetry written by celebrity poet Nirmalendu Goon.

The Day’s programme began with the lowering of the national flag at half-mast at the High Commission followed by reading out of the messages from the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and State Minister for Foreign Affairs.

A Special munajat was also offered for the salvation of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and his family members and others who were brutally assassinated on 15 August 1975.