New Delhiu: Calls to bring to justice the assassins of hero of Bangladesh's liberation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were made on the anniversary of his killing in a military coup 34 years ago, with former senior diplomats and Indian Army and police officials paying rich tributes to him.
The commemorative function, held at Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Saturday, saw the speakers recalling the leadership qualities of 'Bangabandhu', the founding father of Bangladesh, and paying homage to his family members killed on the night of August 15, 1975.
Maj Gen (Retd) J F R Jacob, who led the Indian army in liberating Bangladesh, described Sheikh Mujib as a "great leader of a great nation" and said that in his death, "we lost a great friend".
Former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Muchkund Dubey said Mujib was a "great world leader" and recalled a public meeting that was addressed by the 'Bangabandhu' in early 1970s. "I had never seen such a huge public meeting in my life," he said.
Former IPS officer Ved Marwah, who had accompanied Mujib from Heathrow airport to Dhaka via New Delhi after the latter's release from a prison in Pakistan, reminisced that journey, saying "when Mujib came to know I knew some Bangla, he asked me to be seated next to him and spoke about his vision of the new-born Bangladesh he was yet to see".
Marwah said the charismatic leader had a very "sharp memory" and during his visit to London after becoming the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, "Mujib invited me and my wife for a tea at the London's Claridges Hotel and we spent 45 minutes with him".
Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Tariq Ahmad Khan said "what Mahatma Gandhi was for India, Nelson Mandela for African people, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib was for Bangladesh" and described the brutal killing of Mujib as a "black spot in our history".
He said subsequent political killings or attempts of killing could have been averted if the killers of Mujib were put on trial and punished. "Rather they were given lucrative postings abroad," he claimed.
Arjun Sengupta, who had served in the Indian High Commission soon after the independence of Bangladesh , recalled that whenever Mujib saw him, he used to "call me by my name. I was surprised how he can remember my name".
Sengupta, who also worked at the office of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for four years, said all "our great leaders were brought down by the barrels of guns".
Former member of parliament Shashi Bhusan said that they had staged about 20 demonstrations in Delhi in front of the US and other embassies to lodge protest with Pakistan to release Sheikh Mujib.
He was also critical of the then Pakistan regime and said "those who created problems for East Bengal population then, are also not happy now".
Earlier a one-minute silence was observed in memory of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and messages of Bangladesh President Zillur and a video featuring the various stages of the Bangabandhu's life leading to his emergence as the top leader of the country was also screened on the occasion.
The function was also attended by officers and staff of Bangladesh mission and other members of the Bangladesh community in New Delhi.