January 10, 1972, was a historic day for Bangladesh, marking the homecoming of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. After 290 days of captivity in a Pakistani jail, Bangabandhu returned to independent Bangladesh via London and New Delhi.¹
Dr. Mohsin Ali, Commander of Freedom Fighters in Gurudaspur, Natore, recounts the excitement and joy that filled the air as they received news of Bangabandhu’s release. The freedom fighters celebrated his return as a festival, shouting slogans of “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangobandhu” and organizing a victory procession throughout Gurudaspur Thana.
Although Dr. Ali was unable to attend the homecoming procession in Dhaka, he ensured that the freedom fighters and arrested anti-liberation forces remained under control. Instead, he celebrated the homecoming by arranging a festival in Gurudaspur, complete with music, banners, and flags.
As Bangabandhu’s plane landed in Dhaka, thousands of people gathered to welcome him. The Home Coming Procession brought him to the Sohrowardi Uddan, where he delivered a heart-touching emotional speech to a crowd of almost one million people.²
Today, January 10, is observed as Bangabandhu Homecoming Day across Bangladesh.
