The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

With various programmes by different organisations, the 33rd death anniversary of country's legendary leader Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani will be observed across the country today.

To mark the day, BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and its secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain gave separate messages. Begum Khaleda Zia in a message expressed her respect to the legendary leader and prayed for salvation of his soul. Recalling his contribution to the national politics, she said that Maulana Bhashani had raised his voice against aggression and led the historic Farraka Long March, attracting the international forum to the matter.

Expressing respect to Maulana Bhasani, Delwar Hossain in his message called upon the country's people to dedicate their lives for the country like Maulana Bhasani to save the country from aggression.

Bangladesh National Awami Party (Bangladesh-NAP) will place wreaths and offer fateha at his mazar at Santosh in Tangail this morning.

In a joint statement, president of Bangladesh-NAP Jebel Rahman Gani and its general secretary M Gulam Mostafa Bhuiyan called upon the government to observe the Maulana Bhasani's 33rd death anniversary officially.

In the observance of Bhasani's death anniversary, National Awami Party (NAP-Bhasani) will hold different programmes.

Leaders of the party will place wreaths at his mazar at Santosh at 10.30 AM and hold a discussion there at 11.00 AM. It will also hold a discussion at the National Press Club tomorrow, says a press release.

Maulana Bhasani was born in 1880 in Dhangara village in Tangail. He is that great leader who first expressed his dream of independent homeland at the Kagmari Conference in 1957. He was the only leader whose name is uttered with equal respect by all politicians.

He was elected member to the State Assembly of East Bengal from Muslim League. Awami Muslim League (now Awami League) was formed under his leadership in 1949 and he was its first president. He left the Awami Muslim League and formed the National Awami Party.

He led the historic long march towards Farakka in 1976 and it was the first public strong movement against India's aggression.

After the long march his health deteriorated and he died on November 17th at year at Dhaka Medical College.

Terming Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani as the country's greatest leader who worked for the poor people and raised his voice against the aggression of other countries, speakers at a discussion yesterday underscored the need for unity among the nationalist and Islamic parties of the country to save the country from aggression.

Organised by Juba Jagpa, a wing of Jatiya Gonotantrik Party (Jagpa), the discussion was held on 'Our United Struggle and Maulana Bhasani' at the National Press Club in the city to mark the 33rd death anniversary of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani.

BNP secretary general Khanadaker Delwar Hossain attended the programme as chief guest where secretary general of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid addressed it as special guest.

Terming Maulana Bhasani as his political menor, Khandaker Delwar said that he had conducted struggle against hegemony, colonial government and aggression of other countries. The political spirit of Maulana Bhasani inspired President Ziaur Rahman, he added.

He said that Sylhet was included in East Pakistan during the referendum in 1947 as the result of Maulana Bhasani's strong movement.

Ali Ahsan Mujahid said that the conspiracy at home and aboard against the country is going on and at the time the government is silent. So a strong movement has to be launched against the aggression including Tipaimukh dam and Asian Highway like Maulana Bhasani.

Presided over by Juba Jagpa president Belayet Hossain Morol, the discussion was addressed, among others, by Jagpa president Shafiul Alam Prodhan, its vice president Prof Rehana Prodhan, general secretary of Bangladesh Jatiya Party Abu Naser Mohammad Rahmatullah and general secretary Bangladesh NAP M Gulam Mosatafa Bhuiyan.