Bangladesh government cancels national holidays introduced by Hasina regime

File photo of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Photo Credit: AP

Bangladesh has canceled the annual birth anniversary celebrations of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and several other national holidays introduced by the Sheikh Hasina government, according to an announcement by the interim government.

Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor to the Interim Government Bangladesh announced yesterday that eight national holidays introduced by Ms Hasina would be cancelled, including former President Rahman’s birthday, celebrated on March 17.

The canceled holidays include the day of “historic March 7”, Mujibur Rahman’s birthday on March 17, Sheikh Hasina’s brother’s birth anniversary on August 5, Sheikh Hasina’s mother’s birth anniversary on August 8, Mujibur Rahman’s death anniversary on August 8, and Mujibur Rahman’s death anniversary on August 8. Sheikh Hasina’s younger brother’s birthday on 15 October, 18 October, National Constitution Day on 4 November and Smart Bangladesh Day on 12 December.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Yunus was appointed the country’s “chief adviser” following the student-led uprising that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August.

The 84-year-old microfinance pioneer is leading a temporary administration facing what he has called the “extremely difficult” challenge of restoring democratic institutions.