The government has announced April 17 as a public holiday at  Mujibnagar in Meherpur district marking the historic Mujibnagar Day.  The Public Administration Ministry  issued a notification in this regard on Wednesday. The  holiday has been declared as part of the national programme organised by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs. Also read: Mujibnagar govt played historic role in freedom struggle of Bangladesh: Envoy On April 17 in 1971, senior leaders of Awami League assembled at Baidyanathtala, a mango orchard, which was later named as Mujibnagar, in Meherpur district to form the provisional government of independent Bangladesh in the absence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who was arrested and flown to Pakistan after Pakistan military had cracked down on the Bangalees on the night of March 25, 1971. Bangabandhu was declared the first President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, while Vice-president Syed Nazrul Islam became the acting president in the absence of Bangabandhu. Tajuddin Ahmad was appointed the first Prime Minister, while Khandoker Moshtaque Ahmed, M Mansur Ali and AHM Quamaruzzaman were named cabinet members.

Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States M Shahidul Islam has said Mujibnagar embodies the pride of the Bangalee nation in the struggle for freedom from the occupational forces. He paid deep tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, three million martyrs and two lakh tortured mothers and sisters. The Ambassador, while addressing a discussion meeting, said Bangladesh earned liberation not only by sacrifice but also by valor of the freedom fighters. Also read: Historic Mujibnagar Day observed in Seoul Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC observed the historic Mujibnagar Day on Saturday with due solemnity and respect. To mark the day, the Embassy organised the discussion meeting at Bangabandhu Auditorium of the Chancery in the morning. Messages issued by President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Mujibnagar Day were read out. A documentary titled “Mujibnagar Sarker” was screened at the event. Also read: Mujibnagar govt played historic role in freedom struggle of Bangladesh: Envoy A special prayer was offered, seeking divine blessings and salvation of the departed souls of Bangabandhu, four national leaders, and all the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the liberation war as well as for peace and progress of Bangladesh. Later, Ambassador Shahidul Islam, along with the diplomats working in the Embassy, placed a floral wreath at the bust of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

“Mujibnagar being one of the landmarks in the country's struggle for independence, the government has undertaken the project to build a memorial complex-cum-tourism centre at an estimated Tk 540 crore," he said. The Minister made the announcement at a meeting on the "second phase of Mujibnagar Liberation War Memorial Centre" at Meherpur Mujibnagar Complex Tourism Motel, where he was the chief guest. &l

In June 1971, a young Member of Parliament stood up to initiate a discussion, calling for the Government of India to accord diplomatic recognition to the Bangladesh government-in exile based in the Bangladeshi town of Mujibnagar that functioned as the provisional government, while its leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was in a Karachi prison.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali said on Sunday that work is underway to develop tourism facilities in historic Mujibnagar.