Sheikh Mujib the brave leader of all times: Pranab Mukherjee

Former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee has termed Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman the “brave leader of all times” while paying respect to Bangladesh’s founding father.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, and Bangabandhu’s grandson Radwan Mujib Siddiq received him at the Museum in Dhanmondi and accompanied him during the visit after placing a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on Monday.

The museum is housed inside the same building where a group of rogue army officers on Aug 15, 1975 assassinated Bangabandhu along with most of his family members.

His two daughters, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana were abroad at the time.

“I salute the brave leader of all times and pay my respectful homage to all the martyrs,” Mukherjee, a veteran Indian congress party leader, wrote in the condolence book.

He arrived in Dhaka on Sunday on a private tour to attend an international literary gathering and meet the president and the prime minister.

He will also receive the Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Chittagong.

Bangladesh had previously awarded him with the ‘Bangladesh Liberation War Honour Award’ for his role during the 1971 War of Independence.

He was 36 years old and a lawmaker from the Indian Congress party at the time.

On Jun 15, 1971, he initiated a discussion in India’s Upper House and suggested that India should accord diplomatic recognition to the government of Bangladesh in exile in Mujibnagar.

“I am glad to have the opportunity to revisit Bangabandhu Museum at Dhanmondi,” he wrote in the condolence book.

“Sheikh Mujib who led the people of BD [Bangladesh] to liberation struggle from this house and who along with the family members [were] assassinated here at the dawn of 15th August 1975, speak of history of the creation and march of a new nation.”

Mukherjee is set to leave on Jan 18.