DHAKA, Nov 16, 2023 (BSS) - The 47th death anniversary of veteran politician Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani will be observed tomorrow in the country in a befitting manner.

Maulana Bhasani, popularly known as "Majlum Jananeta (the leader of the downtrodden)", passed away on November 17 in 1976.

Marking the day, different programmes, including placing of wreaths at Bhasani's grave in Santosh of Tangail, discussions and doa mahfils, have been taken in the capital and at Santosh in Tangail.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today issued separate messages on the occasion of the 47th death anniversary of Maulana Bhasani, paying glowing tributes to the late legendary political figure of the country.

In his message, President Mohammed Shahabuddin said Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani is a memorable name in the politics of the Indian subcontinent as his politics was based on the village and against the colonial rule.

Bhasani did politics for the welfare of working class people, including peasants and labourers, he said, adding that he struggled throughout his life for the people and the country.

The president said Bhasani played very remarkable role during the country's Liberation war.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her message said Maulana Bhasani had worked throughout his life for establishing the rights of the working-class people.

Maulana Bhasani was always vocal against repression-oppression of Pakistani rulers, she said, adding that Bhasani played an important role in flourishing Bengali nationalism.

"Maulana Bhasani had ideological alliance and political closeness with Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Bhasani struggled for an oppression-and deprivation-free and progressive, democratic and non-communal Bangladesh," the Prime Minister added.

Sheikh Hasina prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul of Maulana Bhasani.

Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, born in 1880 in Dhangara in Sirajganj, was the son of Haji Sharafat Ali Khan. He gained immense popularity among peasants.

He is regarded as the proponent of secular and left-leaning politics in Bangladesh.

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

Bhasani played a very significant role in the 1969 movement against Pakistan, which eventually led to the collapse of the Ayub regime and the release of Bangabandhu and other co-accused in the so-called Agartala conspiracy case.