DHAKA: The 135th birth anniversary of veteran politician Mawlana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani is being observed Saturday (December 12) with due respect.

To mark the day, different political parties and socio-cultural organizations in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country have taken elaborate programs.

The programs include placing of wreaths at Bhashani's mazar, discussions, special prayer and milad mahfil.

Besides, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University has chalked out various programs on this occasion.

Popularly called as "Majlum Jananeta", Mawlana Bhashani, was born on December 12, 1880 and passed away on November 17, 1976.

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

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

He remained a rural-based and non-colonially educated politician revered for selflessness and solidarity with the oppressed. His long political tenure spanned the British colonial India, Pakistan and Bangladesh periods.

BDST: 1553 HRS, DEC 12, 2015
RS/RR