1976 in Bangladesh

The year 1976 was the 5th year after the independence of Bangladesh. It was also the year when Gen Ziaur Rahman consolidated his power and proceeded to become the President.

Incumbents

 * President: Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem
 * Chief Justice: Syed A. B. Mahmud Hossain

Economy
Note: For the year 1976 average official exchange rate for BDT was 15.40 per US$.

Events

 * 16 May - Farakka Long March was led by Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, demanded demolition of the Farakka Barrage constructed by India to divert flow of Ganges waters inside its territory, triggering the drying up of river Padma and desertification of Bangladesh.
 * 21 July - Col. Abu Taher was tried by a military tribunal inside the Dhaka Central Jail and sentenced to death. The trial was later considered flawed.
 * Five years after the secession of East Pakistan, Pakistan has Diplomatic Relations with Bangladesh.
 * 19 November - General Zia took over the powers of Chief Martial Law Administrator, leaving President Sayem with only ceremonial function.

Awards and recognitions
In the year 1976, the first year of the award, 9 individuals were awarded Ekushey Padak in recognition of their contribution to different fields:
 * 1) Kazi Nazrul Islam (Literature)
 * 2) Muhammad Qudrat-i-Khuda (Education)
 * 3) Jasimuddin (literature)
 * 4) Sufia Kamal (literature)
 * 5) Abdul Quadir (literature)
 * 6) Muhammed Mansooruddin (education)
 * 7) Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miah (journalism)
 * 8) Abul Kalam Shamsuddin (literature)
 * 9) Abdus Salam (Editor) (journalism)

Sports

 * Domestic football: Mohammedan SC won Dhaka League title, while Abahani KC came out runners-up.
 * Marylebone Cricket Club visited Bangladesh

Births

 * Amitabh Reza Chowdhury, filmmaker
 * Sadia Islam Mou, model and actor

Deaths

 * 13 March: Poet Jasim Uddin (b. 1903)
 * 28 May: Zainul Abedin, painter (b. 1914)
 * 21 July: Col. Abu Taher, Bir Uttom. (b. 1938)
 * 29 August: Kazi Nazrul Islam, the national poet. (b. 1899)
 * 17 November: Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, politician (b. 1880)
 * 21 November: Ava Alam, classical singer (b. 1947)