History Reset In Dhaka

When the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took over a violence-stricken Bangladesh on August 8, it promised state reforms.

- Arkamoy Datta Majumdar

Now, many are questioning its priorities after it recently cancelled eight 'national days' observed by government decree during the ousted Sheikh Hasina regime. While most agree that the former prime minister-daughter of 'Bangabandhu' Sheikh Mujibur Rahman-had attempted to monopolise the 1971 war of liberation that led to the creation of Bangladesh and thus its history, they also say that there are more pressing issues to take care of.

On October 16, it was announced that an advisory committee of the government has cancelled eight holidays that mashed together genuine national moments with family history: the historic March 7 call for independence in 1971 by Mujib, his birth anniversary on March 17, the birth anniversaries of Hasina's deceased brother Shiekh Kamal, her mother Begum Fazilatunnesa and her youngest brother Sheikh Russel on August 5, August 8 and October 18, respectively, Mujib's death anniversary on August 15 and Constitution Day on November 4. Smart Bangladesh Day on December 12 was also cancelled.