Seven galleries of the Jatiya Sangsad have been renamed after the seven Bir Sreshthas (The Most Valiant Hero). Photo: BSS

DHAKA, April 22, 2026 (BSS) - Seven galleries of the Jatiya Sangsad have been renamed after the seven Bir Sreshthas (The Most Valiant Hero), Bangladesh's highest military gallantry award recipients, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the 1971 Liberation War.

With the new naming, the galleries are now directly linked to the country's history of independence, making the legacy of heroism and sacrifice more visible within the parliament premises.

The renamed galleries are: Gallery-3 after Bir Sreshtha Lance Naik Munshi Abdur Rouf (previously Shimul), Gallery-4 after Bir Sreshtha Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman (previously Shiuli), Gallery-5 after Bir Sreshtha Engine Room Artificer Mohammad Ruhul Amin (previously Bokul), Gallery-6 after Bir Sreshtha Lance Naik Nur Mohammad Sheikh (previously Shapla), and Gallery-7 after Bir Sreshtha Sepoy Muhammad Mustafa Kamal (previously Jamuna).

VIP Gallery-1 has been named after Bir Sreshtha Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir (previously Padma), while VIP Gallery-2 has been renamed after Bir Sreshtha Sepoy Hamidur Rahman (previously Meghna). Galleries 1 and 2 have been reserved for journalists.

"The move reflects the spirit of the Liberation War and honors the nation's highest gallantry award recipients," Chief Whip Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury told BSS.

He also said the main gate of the parliament has been named after General Muhammad Ataul Gani Osmani.

Chief Whip Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury said they firmly believe in Allah with complete faith, and therefore inscriptions expressing "deep faith and belief in Almighty Allah - La ilaha illallah Muhammadur Rasulullah" have been placed across the premises. He added that where portraits of Bangabandhu previously existed, those have been replaced with the inscription.

He further said that although they could have installed a portrait of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, they believe that none is greater than Allah.

Additional Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Atikur Rahman Rumon said the galleries were renamed following the advice of Tarique Rahman, honoring the seven Bir Sreshthas for their outstanding contributions to the Liberation War.

He said the decision has ensured that the spirit of independence is permanently embedded in the Jatiya Sangsad, the centre of the country's democracy, by directly linking the galleries with the history of the Liberation War.