Awami League and BNP have echoed similar sentiments regarding the works of Bangladesh national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
Ruling party's General Secretary Obaidul Quader and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, both, said the poet expressed his humanitarian views through his literary work.
As part of observing Nazrul's 43rd death anniversary, Quader and other party men placed wreaths on the poet's grave on behalf of Awami League around 8:30am on Tuesday.
After placing the wreath, Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, told journalists: "Kazi Nazrul Islam was the poet of humanity. He was a staunch believer in non-communality and expressed it through his work.
"His [Nazrul’s] poetic language inspires us to fight against communal forces and practice humanitarian views," he said.
The Awami League leader added: "August is a month of woe for Bangalis. According to a BBC study, the best three Bangalis are Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Rabindranath Tagore, and Kazi Nazrul Islam. We lost them all in this month. We need to follow their ideals."
The government is yet to publish a gazette notification to officially recognize Nazrul as the national poet.
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Replying to a query regarding the matter, he said: "Our actions prove that he is our national poet, we do not need to publish a gazette notification to establish it.”
“He is present in our beliefs. We uphold his ideals through our work and spirit."
Mirza Fakhrul voiced similar sentiments as Quader regarding the humanitarian aspect of Nazrul's work.
"Poet Nazrul Islam has protested against injustice through his work; he expressed humanity," Fakhrul said in a statement.
He added: "Kazi Nazrul Islam is a source of endless motivation in our national life. His essays inspire love for the country. We must devote ourselves to fulfil his dream by establishing peace and equality in the society."
Khairul Kabir Khokon, senior joint secretary general of BNP, along with other party men placed wreaths on Nazrul’s grave.
Inspired by Nazrul's rebellious work, BNP will set their Chairperson Khaleda Zia free from jail, Khokon said.
Death anniversary of the national poet
The 43rd death anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam is being observed on Tuesday in a befitting manner.
The legendary Bangali poet breathed his last on Bhadra 12 in 1383 of the Bangla calendar – August 29, 1976 on the Gregorian calendar – at what is now Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital in Dhaka.
According to a wish he had expressed in one of his poems, the poet was buried beside a mosque on the Dhaka University (DU) campus.
To observe the day, many political parties and socio cultural and professional organizations chalked out elaborate programs.
The day began with a Quran recitation after Fazr prayers at the Dhaka University Central Mosque, close to where the poet lies in eternal rest.
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Later at 7:30am, the university teachers, students and employees assembled in front of the Aparajeyo Bangla sculpture and brought out a procession on the campus, led by Vice-Chancellor Prof M Akhtaruzzaman. They walked up to the poet’s grave and paid tribute by placing wreaths and offering a special prayer.
Famously known as the Rebel Poet, Nazrul was a lyricist, musician, revolutionist and philosopher. His poems and songs were a source of inspiration for the Bangali nation during the Liberation War in 1971, and all subsequent democratic movements and struggles.
Nazrul wrote nearly 3,000 songs and composed many of them, which are now known as Nazrul Geeti or Nazrul Sangeet.
After the independence of Bangladesh, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman brought Nazrul and his family to Dhaka from Kolkata, and ensured living arrangement with state honours.
Bangabandhu also provided a residence to the poet’s family in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area.
In January 1976, he was accorded Bangladeshi citizenship.
