Bhashani’s 136th birth anniv today

The 136th birth anniversary of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, a great national leader, will be observed today with due respect.
Born in 1880 at village Dhanpara in Sirajganj, Bhashani dedicated his life to the establishment of the rights of the oppressed and downtrodden.
Various political parties and socio-cultural organisations have taken elaborate programmes to mark the day.
Recitations from the holy Quran and prayer sessions will be arranged by his followers at his graveside at Shantosh in Tangail.
Shaheed Asad Parishad will hold a discussion marking the day at Shikha Chirantan in Suhrawardy Udyan at 3:00pm.
Popularly known as ‘Majlum Jananeta’, the leader of the downtrodden, Bhashani was a popular leader in his fight against imperialism and oppression by Pakistani rulers.
He led the historic Farakka March in 1976 to ensure Bangladesh’s just share of the Ganges waters.
Bhashani was the founder and president of the Pakistan Awami Muslim League which later became Awami League. He quit the party to organise left-leaning National Awami Party.
The historic Kagmari Conference he organised in 1957 sowed the seeds of fresh political hope and independence of Bangladesh.
He inspired and led the historic mass uprising of 1969 that eventually changed the course of history of the nation.
In 1969, his slogan ‘Swadhin Bangla Zindabad’ or ‘Long Live Independent Bangladesh’ fired the imagination of the nation.
By boycotting the 1970 election, Bhashani facilitated the Awami League’s sweeping electoral victory in the then East Pakistan and making Sheikh Mujibur Rahman its undisputed leader.
The electoral mandate given to Mujib led to emergence of independent and sovereign Bangladesh in 1971, ending the chapter of its exploitation by the then West Pakistan.
His lifelong struggle for an exploitation-free and just society earned him a special place in people’s hearts. He was also one of the organisers of the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh.
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia issued a message paying rich tributes to the memory of the late great leader.
She said Bhashani had struggled throughout his life for establishing the rights of the oppressed people.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net