The 44th death anniversary of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, a legendary politician and dreamer of Bangladesh's independence, was observed yesterday with due respect.
Several organizations, including Bangladesh National Awami Party (NAP Bhashani), Ganosamhati Andolan, Workers Party of Bangladesh, Socialist Party of Bangladesh, Durniti Protirodh Andolan, Nagarik Parishad and Progotishil Ganotantrik Dal, Awami League, BNP, Jatiya Party, Krishak Sramik Janata League, Mawlana Bhashani University of Science and Technology, Bhashani Foundation, and Shaheed Asad Parishad marked the day with various programs.
The programs included placing wreaths at Bhashani's grave in Santosh, Tangail, and offering prayers seeking eternal peace for his departed soul.
Bhashani's uncompromising fight for the cause of the people who were deprived of their rights earned him the epithet ‘Majlum Jananeta,’ or the leader of the oppressed.
His relentless struggle against imperialism, feudalism and for an exploitation-free, secular, and democratic society endeared him to the people.
He was the founder of the Awami Muslim League in 1949, which later became Awami League. In 1957, he formed a progressive political organisation named National Awami Party.
Bhasani also fought against the oppression of Pakistani rulers. He played a significant role in the 1969 mass movement against Ayub Khan's autocratic rule. During the Liberation War, he worked as the chairman of the All Party Action Committee under the Bangladesh government in exile in India.
Bhasani led the historic Farakka Long March in May 1976.
Born on December 12, 1880 to Haji Sharafat Ali and Mosammat Mojiron Bibi in Sirajganj of erstwhile East Bengal, Bhashani died on November 17, 1976 in Dhaka. Bhashani was laid to rest at Santosh in Tangail where he spent the last few years of his life and established ‘Santosh Islamic University’ in 1974.
President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Bangladesh Nationalist Party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir issued messages paying tributes to the great national leader.