The 60th death anniversary of the champion of democracy and one of the greatest leaders of undivided India Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy is being observed in the country in a befitting manner on Tuesday.
The unparalleled leader of all Indian politics, who had dedicated his entire life to ensure the welfare of the people by upholding democracy, died at a Beirut hotel in Lebanon on December 5 in 1963. He was alone in the hotel suite at the time of his death.
He was born in a respected Muslim family at Medinipur in West Bengal, India on September 8 in 1892.
Suhrawardy was a Bengali politician and statesman in the first half of the 20th century. He served as the premier of Bengal in British India and was the fifth Prime Minister of Pakistan.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in separate messages on Monday paid rich tributes to the memory of Suhrawardy marking his death anniversary.
The President and the Prime Minister prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul of Suhrawardy, terming him 'the champion of democracy'.
In his message, President Mohammed Shahabuddin said Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardi is a bright star in the history of politics and democracy of the subcontinent.
He played a vital role in protecting the interest of the neglected Muslim community, including the working people, of this region when he served in different capacities, the President added.
The President said Suhrawardi struggled throughout his life for establishing rule of law and democracy said believed that Suhrawardy's life and works will inspire the future generations in democratic thinking and welfare of the people.
In a message, the Prime Minister said Suhrawardy was 'the champion of democracy' as he struggled throughout his life for establishing the political and socio-economic rights of working-class people of this subcontinent.
After establishment of Pakistan in 1947, Suhrawardy organized people of this part of the world against the anti-people activities of then Pakistani government, she said, adding that as a pro-people organization Awami League flourished under his prudent leadership.
The Prime Minister said Suhrawardy's capable heir the greatest Bengali of all time, father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's farsighted leadership helped unite the Bengali nation against the oppression-repression of the then Pakistani government. Independent Bangladesh was achieved on December 16, 1971 through a nine-month Liberation War, she added.
The premier said the life and ideals of Suhrawardy will continue to inspire the people in the forward-march of democracy welfare of the humanity.
To mark the day, different political and socio-cultural organisations, including ruling Awami League, have chalked out various programmes including placing wreaths at the grave of the great leader in the morning, holding discussions, offering Qurankhwani and arranging milad and doa-mahfil in the capital and elsewhere in the country.
Awami League (AL) paid tributes to the late leader by placing wreaths on his grave adjacent to the High Court at 9am on Tuesday. Fateha and doa were also offered there.