Maulana Bhasani’s 43rd death anniversary observed

The 43rd death anniversary of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, a great national leader, was observed on Sunday with due respect, reports UNB.

Bhasani, popularly known as ‘Majlum Jananeta’, the leader of the downtrodden, passed away on 17 November, 1976.

Different organisations, including Bangladesh National Awami Party (NAP Bhasani), Awami League, BNP Jatiya Party, Krishak Sramik Janata League, Moulana Bhasani University of Science and Technology, Bhasani Foundation and Shaheed Asad Parisad and other organisations marked the day with various programmes.

The programmes include placing wreaths at Bhasani’s mazar, holding discussions, arranging doa and milad mahfils, art competition and poetry recitation, food distribution and blood donation.

A BNP delegation, led by its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, placed wreaths at the grave of Bhasani at Santosh in Tangail, and officered fateha there.

The local units of Awami League and other parties and different organisations also placed wreaths at the late leader’s grave.

President Abdul Hamid and prime minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages, paying rich tributes to Maulana Bhasani on the occasion.

Bhasani was a popular leader for his fight against imperialism and oppression of Pakistani rulers. He led the historic Farakka March in 1976 to ensure Bangladesh’s due rights to the share of the Ganges River water.

Born in 1880 in Dhangara, Sirajganj, Bhasani gained huge popularity among peasants. He is regarded as the proponent of secular and left-leaning politics in present-day Bangladesh.

He was the founder and president of the Pakistan Awami Muslim League which later became Awami League (AL). He also formed a progressive political organisation called National Awami Party (NAP).