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Posts, telecommunications and information technology adviser Nahid Islam on Wednesday said Bangladesh’s interim government did not recognise Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the father of the nation.

‘Awami League made Bangabandhu controversial. As a party, AL was in power through fascist tactics-snatching people’s voting rights, abductions, murders and even genocide. So, who called him the father of the nation, and which day they declared as national day, none of that will continue in the new Bangladesh. We want to rebuild Bangladesh,’ he said.

When directly asked whether the interim government acknowledges Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the father of the nation, Nahid responded, ‘Of course not.’

He emphasised that many figures contributed to the nation’s history.

‘Our history didn't begin in 1952. We have anti-British struggles, 1947, 1971, 1990 and now 2024. We have many founding fathers, and our freedom came through their collective struggles,’ he mentioned.

The adviser also noted that the national days being cancelled were imposed by the Awami League, describing this as ‘fascist behaviour.’ He added, ‘The government finds these days unimportant, so they are being cancelled.’

Earlier in the day, the interim government officially announced the cancellation of eight national days, including March 7, which commemorates Sheikh Mujirbur Rahman's historic speech, and August 15, marking his assassination.