The government on Sunday withdrew its decision to declare August 8 as "New Bangladesh Day" just a few days after the announcement to mark that particular day as such.
The latest decision came about at the advisers' council meeting at the chief adviser's office in Tejgaon, where it was decided to celebrate "July Shaheed Day" on 16 July and "Mass Uprising Day" on 5 August.
There was disagreement about the significance of 8 August, which led to widespread political debate and apparently forced the government to rethink its position.
The Cabinet Division on Wednesday (June 25) officially declared 8 August as the "New Bangladesh Day", 5 August as "July Uprising Day", and 16 July as "Shaheed Abu Sayeed Day".
Following the cabinet meeting, NCP leaders voiced their objections, arguing that the real beginning of the "New Bangladesh" took place on 5 August, not 8 August.
The Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League regime was ousted on 5 August by a mass uprising, and members of the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government took oath on 8 August.
NCP's southern regional leader Hassanat Abdullah said, "The New Bangladesh was born on 5 August, not 8 August. That was the day when the general people rose up and removed the ruling government.
Another NCP leader, Sarjis Alam , added, "8 August did not mark the start of our second independence. That was when the revolution began to be compromised."
The debate grew stronger when political parties and some civil society groups also questioned whether the government had chosen the right date. Ministry of Youth & Sports and Labour Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan then said the decision is being "looked at again".
The controversy over New Bangladesh Day highlights a deeper issue: How a nation chooses to define historic change. Was it the day of administrative transition or the moment the people rose in defiance?
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