Today marks Bangabandhu’s Homecoming Day

Today marks the historic Homecoming Day of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh. On this day in 1972, after 290 days of imprisonment in Pakistan, Bangabandhu returned to a newly liberated Bangladesh via London and New Delhi. He had been arrested by the Pakistan army on the night of March 25, 1971, at his Dhanmondi residence and was taken to a West Pakistani jail the following day.

During his time in prison, Bangabandhu faced the constant threat of execution, as he was sentenced to death in a mock trial. Reflecting on his time in confinement, he recalled, "I was a prisoner in the condemned cell awaiting hanging. Since the day I went to jail, I didn’t know whether I would survive. I was mentally prepared to die, but I knew Bangladesh would be liberated." He emotionally shared this experience at a press conference in London after his release.

Upon his arrival at Dhaka's Tejgaon airport on January 10, 1972, he was welcomed by a massive crowd of jubilant citizens who had eagerly awaited his return since the country's victory on December 16, 1971. From there, he was escorted to Racecourse Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan), where he addressed a spontaneous reception. Two days later, on January 12, he took the oath of office as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

In observance of Homecoming Day, the Awami League issued a statement on its official Facebook page, announcing that it would place wreaths at Bangabandhu’s portrait in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban in Dhanmondi. The party will also lay wreaths at his grave in Tungipara and organize discussions, along with distributing food and warm clothing to the needy. However, the location for the discussion was not mentioned. Additionally, the party called on its affiliated bodies to organize similar events to commemorate the day in a meaningful way.