Sher-e Bangla’s 64th death anniv today
The 64th death anniversary of Sher-e-Bangla Abul Kashem Fazlul Huq will be observed across the country today in a befitting manner.
AK Fazlul Huq, widely known as Sher-e-Bangla (Tiger of Bengal) or Huq Saheb, died on 27 April 1962 in Dhaka.
He was born on 26 October 1873 at his maternal uncle’s house in Saturia, then a remote village in the southern part of Bakerganj, now Jhalakathi district in Barishal Division. His ancestral home was at Chakhar, a village around 14 miles from Barishal town.
Fazlul Huq was a prominent public leader who held several key political positions, including Mayor of Calcutta (1935), Prime Minister of undivided Bengal (1937–1943), Chief Minister of East Bengal (1954), Home Minister of Pakistan (1955) and Governor of East Pakistan (1956–58).
To mark the anniversary, various socio-political and cultural organisations have arranged programmes, including wreath-laying at his grave, offering fateha at the Mausoleum of Three Leaders (Tin Netar Mazar) near Doyel Chhatar in the capital, as well as milad mahfils and discussions.
On the eve of the day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued separate messages paying tribute to Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Huq.
In his message, President Shahabuddin described Fazlul Huq as an exceptionally wise, courageous and prudent statesman who held numerous important positions during his distinguished political career.
He noted that Fazlul Huq served as a member of the Bengal Legislative Council, President of the All-India Muslim League (1916–1921), Mayor of Calcutta (1935), the first Prime Minister of undivided Bengal (1937–1943), Chief Minister of East Bengal (1954), and Governor of East Bengal (1956–1958).
The President highlighted his lifelong dedication to public welfare, stating that Fazlul Huq worked for more than half a century for the wellbeing of ordinary people as a committed politician and social reformer.
He described him as a pioneer in the political landscape of undivided Bengal and a leader of farmers, workers and the wider masses. Fazlul Huq also founded the Krishak Praja Party (KPP) in 1936 and the Sramik-Krishak Dal in 1953.
In his message, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said Fazlul Huq marked a new era in subcontinental politics by presenting the Lahore Resolution in 1940, which remains a significant topic of historical discussion and reflects his visionary leadership.
The Prime Minister also highlighted Huq’s strong commitment to farmers’ welfare, describing him as a true representative of Bengal’s agrarian population.
He noted that Fazlul Huq was among the early leaders to recognise the close link between politics and Bengal’s agriculture-based economy, and worked to safeguard farmers’ interests and representation in governance.
