ACC launches inquiry into Hasina, Rehana, Kamal Naser over Tk4,000cr wastage in 'Mujib Borsho' celebrations

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an inquiry into ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, her ex-principal secretary Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury and others over allegations of wasting Tk4,000 crore from state treasury for celebrating "Mujib Borsho" in 2020.

The previous Awami League government allegedly spent the money on creating 10,000 murals and statues across the country for "Mujib Borsho".

The anti-corruption watchdog formed a seven-member committee to conduct the inquiry, ACC Director General (prevention) Md Akhtar Hossain told reporters at a press briefing in Dhaka today (9 April).

"The inquiry into the matter began in January. Our team is currently collecting information from various organisations," he added.

How an 'Eternal Bangabandhu' was made a 'forbidden' name again

The birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was celebrated as a grand national festival for two years from March 2020 to March 2022 as the government, led by her daughter Sheikh Hasina, announced it as "Mujib Borsho" or Year of Mujib.

Official files, letters, pads of both her government and non-government offices, and aircraft of Bangladesh Biman were emblazoned with the badge of "Mujib Borsho" displaying the smiling benevolent face of Sheikh Mujib. International air passengers would be greeted by a mural with the smiling face of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the entrance to the immigration hall of the airport welcoming them to the 'Land of Mujib.'

Discussions, cultural programs, audio-visual content, other presentations, sports competitions and many more programmes were held countrywide with active participation and supervision of the administration.

Extravagance of the Mujib Year

Sheikh Hasina declared the fiscal year 2020-21 as the Mujib Year during a party meeting at the Awami League's central office on 6 July 2018, according to information published on the websites of various ministries, departments, offices, and organisations.

To mark the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Awami League government formed two committees: the National Committee and the National Implementation Committee, on 14 February 2019. Sheikh Hasina chaired the 102-member National Committee, which included politicians, bureaucrats, army personnel, teachers, artists, and journalists.

Hasina’s whim: Tk1,261cr spent on Mujib Year celebration

The official countdown and unveiling of the Mujib Year logo began on 10 January 2020, on Sheikh Mujib's Homecoming Day. The logo was designed by Sabyasachi Hazra. The background music for Mujib Year featured the iconic line, "Tumi Banglar Dhrubo Tara, Tumi Hridoyer Batighar, Akashe Batashe Bojrokantha, Tomar Kanthashwar."

Mujib Year officially commenced on 17 March 2020, and continued until 31 March 2022, coinciding with the peak of the pandemic. Initially planned for one year, the celebration period was later extended by a year.

Various programmes were organised across government offices under the guidance of the National Committee, while individual ministries and departments also held their own celebrations.

Due to the pandemic, many Mujib Year events were conducted digitally, including a video and photo documentary on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Memorial books, anthologies, and souvenirs were also released in his honour.

The inaugural event, titled "Muktir Mahanayak," and a 10-day celebration called "Mujib Chirantan" were held. Other initiatives included the launch of a special Mujib Year website, the release of commemorative postage stamps, a 100-day long quiz competition, and a special mobile package called "Shatabarsho" by the state-owned Teletalk, offered free of charge.

A special internet package was made available at a nominal price, and the communication app Alaap was introduced. Various public and private organisations set up Mujib Corners at their offices.

The Mujib Year celebrations officially concluded on 31 March 2022.