KHULNA, Nov 19, 2024 (BSS) - Advisor to the BNP Chairperson and eminent poet Abdul Hai Shikder said that Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani was the dreamer of an independent and democratic country.

"Bhashani talked about the independence of East Bengal in 1948. As the only political leader, Bhashani took an active part in the Bengali language movement in 1952," Poet Hai made the remarks at a meeting last night, marking the 48th death anniversary of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani.

Mentioning the role of a legendary politician in the national elections in 1954, the mass uprising in 1969, and the independence movement in 1971, the poet said, Maulana Bhashani means speaking for freedom as well as standing beside the oppressed people of the country.

In line with the July-August uprising, the poet Hai urged politicians to keep national unity for the great interest of countrymen; otherwise, fallen autocratic forces would come back.

The Khulna City unit of BNP organised the discussion at the Khulna Press Club with its convener advocate Shafiqul Alam Mona in the chair.

Central Information Affairs Secretary of BNP Azizul Bari Helal was the main discussant. Former parliament member Muzibur Rahman, convener of the district lawyers association Abdullah Hossain Bachhu, leader of the doctors association of Bangladesh Rafiqul Haque Bablu, among others, addressed the event, while member secretary Shafiqul Alam Tuhin conducted it.