The information ministry in Bangladesh and its deputy high commission in Calcutta organised an event on Saturday to commemorate the 50th year of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman’s historic address at the Brigade Parade Grounds on February 6, 1972.

That event, immediately after Bangladesh’s independence, had also been attended by then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Hasan Mahmud, information minister in the Bangladesh government, presided over the event in the afternoon. “As far as I know, the rally was attended by over 15 lakh people... Their cheer for our leader Bangabandhu marked the country’s victory celebrations,” he said.

Subrata Mukherjee, the panchayat minister in the Mamata Banerjee cabinet, in his speech, recalled his memories of that meeting. “Bangabandhu was very dear to the people of Bengal...That day, the Brigade was full (packed with crowds) by 1pm. Bangabandhu turned up at the venue around 3pm with Mrs Indira Gandhi. I think it was the biggest rally ever at the venue,” Mukherjee said.