Bhashani's 39th death anniversary today

Today is the 39th death anniversary of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, a legendary politician and a dreamer of independent Bangladesh.

Bhashani was born in 1880 in Dhangara, Sirajganj and passed away on November 17, 1976.

The brave and devoted leader of the common people worked relentlessly and spent almost his entire life for the oppressed masses, which earned him the title "Mazlum Jananeta", meaning the leader of the downtrodden. Marking the day, political parties and social and cultural organisations have taken elaborate programmes, doa and milad mahfils, food distribution, photography exhibition, spiritual songs, blood donation, painting competition, and discussion on the life and works of the spirited leader.

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

He was the chairman of the Kagmari Conference in 1957 where he demanded full autonomy for then East Pakistan and by saying "Assalamualaikum" to West Pakistan he also initiated the spirit of separation of East Bengal from Pakistan. 

Bhashani played a vital leading role in the 1969 mass upsurge which eventually led to the collapse of the Ayub regime and the release of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and others accused in the Agartala conspiracy case.

He led the historic Farakka March in 1976 to ensure Bangladesh's right to the fair share of the Ganges River water, against India's unilateral Ganges water withdrawals using the controversial Farakka Barrage it built not far from the Bangladesh border.

Throughout this life, Bhashani remained a rural-based and an honest politician revered for his selflessness and solidarity with the oppressed. His long political career spanned through the periods of British colonialism, Pakistan and independent Bangladesh.

On the occasion, President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia issued separate messages paying rich tributes to the memory of the great leader.