Dhaka, Aug 15 (V7N) – The 50th martyrdom anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s founding leader, was marked by incidents of harassment and violence at Dhanmondi 32 on Friday. Several individuals arriving with flowers to pay respects were reportedly chased off, assaulted, or blocked from entering the historic site.
 
According to witnesses and law enforcement, a group of people gathered near the entrance of Road No. 32 confronted and harassed visitors, questioning their political affiliations and motives. One of the victims, Azizur Rahman, a rickshaw-puller from the Basabo area, said he bought a bouquet for BDT 400 and came on his rickshaw to offer respects. His bouquet bore a note reading "15 August National Mourning Day."
 
Upon arrival, media personnel and vloggers approached him for comments. During the exchange, a group of youths began to physically assault him. He was dragged towards Panthapath, beaten, then brought back to Dhanmondi 32 and assaulted again before managing to flee. Rahman said he has no political affiliations and had come purely out of respect for Sheikh Mujib.
 
Earlier in the day, a woman identifying herself as an Awami League activist attempted to lay flowers but was chased away by a group of youths. Another woman was denied entry and argued with bystanders before leaving the area in frustration. A man who arrived with his wife and two daughters faced verbal attacks for expressing support for Sheikh Hasina's developmental work. When confronted about past violence under Hasina's leadership, he claimed it was carried out by her supporters, not by her directly.
 
In another incident, an internet personality known for previously celebrating the destruction of Sheikh Mujib’s house in 2024, came to pay tribute and was assaulted by the crowd. An elderly Awami League supporter was also forced to flee after facing threats from attendees.
 
Tension had been mounting at Dhanmondi 32 since Thursday as police ramped up security. Steel barricades were placed at both entry points, and armored vehicles and water cannons were kept on standby. A digital display played a documentary labeled “36 July (5 August),” along with patriotic and Hindi songs. A recording of a 1975 speech by Major Shariful Haque Dalim, one of the coup leaders involved in Sheikh Mujib's assassination, was also broadcast on the display, raising questions about the intent of the organizers.
 
Two young men behind the display refused to disclose their identities, saying only that they were residents of Dhanmondi and that the program was arranged by "locals."
 
Police reported that seven people were detained on suspicion of organizing or inciting unrest, but five were released after it was confirmed they had no ties to the banned Awami League. Two remain in custody.
 
Since the 2024 mass uprising that led to the ousting of Sheikh Hasina and the formation of an interim government, National Mourning Day is no longer officially observed or marked as a public holiday. Compared to the past, Friday’s events at Dhanmondi 32 reflected a dramatically altered political landscape, where once-sacred commemorations now face protest, scrutiny, and even violence.
 
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