Thousands pay homage to Maulana Bhashani

Our Correspondent TANGAIL, Nov 17: Followers and admirers in thousands thronged Santosh in Tangail on 17 today (Thursday) to pay homage to legendary politician Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani on the 35th anniversary of his death. Bhashani, popularly known as Mazlum Jananeta (Leader of the toiling masses), either led or orchestrated major political movements in the '50s and '60s that culminated into the nation's war of independence in 1971. The great leader spent the last few years of his life in solitude at Santosh in the Tangail countryside, far away from active politics, until his death on this day in 1976. Different socio-political organisations arranged elaborate programmes in Tangail and elsewhere in the country to mark the death anniversary of the great leader. The day's programme begun with placing wreaths and offering fateha at the grave of the Bhashani at Santosh. People of all walks of life assembled there to pay homage to the great politician, who was also revered as a spiritual leader. As part of the programme, central leaders of different political parties, Kader Siddiki of Krishok Sramik Janata League, Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Acting Secretary General of BNP,Tariqul Islam, Vice President of BNP, Samsuzzaman Dudu, Secretary of Krishok Dal, Sultan Saluddin Tuku, President of Chhatro Dal and many others leaders of the central political parties placed wreaths at his grave in the morning. BNP and its associate organisations arranged a memorial meeting on the Mazar premises. Speaking at the meeting Fakhrul Islam said, "If we can keep our independent and sovereignty in strength and shape by providing all our support the great leader would be honored, otherwise his struggle will go in vair." BNP Tangail district unit leaders also spoke at the meeting. Bangabir Kader Siddiki delivered his speech on the Mazar premises. He criticized the district administration for their causal attitude in observing the programme. He told that if great leader Bhasani was ignored, the nation is dishonored. Local leaders of Awami League, BNP, Workers party, Jatiyo Party, Krishok Sramik Janata League, Maulana Bhasani University of Science and Technology, Bhashani Foundation, Tangail Municipality, Tangail public library, Tangail press club, Tangail district bus -truck owners and labour organisation, Bhashani Parisad, Tangail Club, BMA Tangail, and district administration also placed flowers at the grave.