The nation today observes the 49th anniversary of the death of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, a lifelong fighter for the rights of the oppressed and leader of the toiling masses.
Different political parties and socio-cultural organisations in Dhaka, Tangail, and elsewhere in the country聽 will hold programmes to mark the day.
The relentless struggle of Bhashani against imperialism and feudalism and for an exploitation-free, secular and democratic society endeared him to the people.
His uncompromising fight for the cause of the people who were deprived of their rights earned him the epithet 鈥楳ajlum Jananeta鈥� (the leader of the oppressed).
The mass movements for a democratic, secular, and just society in this land were greatly indebted to him, while his leadership lent momentum to left politics.
Bhashani was the founding president of the Awami Muslim League, now the Awami League, which came into being in 1949.
During the historic Kagmari Conference in Tangail, called by the Awami League in February 7鈥�8, 1957, Bhashani denounced and bade his famous 鈥榞oodbye鈥� to Pakistani domination over East Pakistan, now Bangladesh.
On July 25, 1957, he formed the National Awami Party and was elected its president.
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.
He was laid to rest at Santosh in Tangail where he spent the last few years of his life and established 鈥楽antosh Islamic University鈥� in 1974.
A central delegation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party will place wreaths at Bhashani鈥檚 grave at Santosh, offer prayers and arrange a prayer session and discussion there today.
Bhashani Onusari Parishad, Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani Parishad, Ganosamhati Andolan and Rastra Sanskar Andolan leaders will place wreaths at the leader鈥檚 grave at 10:00am today.
Our Tangail correspondent reported that the BNP and leaders of other political parties and socio-cultural organisations would place wreaths at the grave of Bhashani in the morning today.
The Ganosamhati Andolan held a discussion in the National Press Club in the capital on Sunday to mark the anniversary.
The Jatiya Mukti Council will hold a rally today in front of the National Museum in Dhaka at 4:00pm.
The National Awami Party will also hold a discussion at the Bangladesh Shishu Kalyan Parishad auditorium today at 11:00am.