GCDG Observes National Mourning Day with Reflections on Bangabandhu’s Legacy

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the brutal assassination of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Global Center for Democratic Governance (GCDG) organized a solemn and reflective online discussion session on August 16, 2025, observed as National Mourning Day.

The session brought together scholars, activists, and members of the Bangladeshi diaspora to pay tribute to Bangabandhu’s towering legacy and to reflect on the enduring relevance of his vision for a democratic, secular, and just Bangladesh.

Keynote Address by Mr. Rabiul Alam

The event’s guest speaker was Mr. Rabiul Alam, a close associate of Bangabandhu and a frontline student leader at the University of Dhaka in the early 1960s. Mr. Alam shared rare and moving insights from his personal interactions with Bangabandhu between 1959 and 1975.

He recalled how the seeds of Bangladesh’s independence were planted during those early years through the Student League, and highlighted Bangabandhu’s extraordinary commitment to justice, equality, and national dignity. Mr. Alam also reflected on his own efforts in Canada during the 1971 Liberation War—mobilizing support, lobbying the Trudeau government, and organizing demonstrations with his wife, Madeline.

Speaking from Vancouver, he described the assassination of Bangabandhu and his family as not just a national tragedy, but an assault on the values of the Liberation War. “The forces that rose on August 15, 1975,” he said, “were not only anti-Mujib but anti-democracy, anti-secularism, and anti-people.”

Reflections from Participants

Several other participants, including academics, young professionals, and political observers from across the world, offered brief reflections. The conversation explored themes such as:

• The ideological rupture caused by the 1975 coup

• The distortion of history and erasure of Bangabandhu’s legacy

• The ongoing need to restore the spirit of the Liberation War in public policy and civic life

Many emphasized that August 15 should not be remembered only as a day of mourning—but also as a moment to recommit to Bangabandhu’s ideals of democratic governance, human dignity, and national unity.

GCDG’s Continued Commitment

GCDG remains committed to preserving and advancing the principles that Bangabandhu stood for. Through research, dialogue, and policy advocacy, the organization works to bridge intellectual voices in Bangladesh and the diaspora to build a future rooted in democracy, secularism, social justice, and accountability.

As part of its observance, GCDG will also feature a special commemorative section in the upcoming issue of Spotlight, highlighting Bangabandhu’s enduring impact on Bangladesh’s political consciousness.