HM Ershad’s birthday today

Today is the 88th birthday of Jatiya Party Chairman of Hussain Muhammad Ershad who served as the 10th President of Bangladesh.

He seized power as head of the army during a bloodless coup against President Abdus Sattar in 24 April 1982 (by imposing martial law).

Ershad served in office until 1990, when he was forced to resign during a popular uprising led by Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina.

Ershad achieved administrative reforms such as devolution of nationalised industries; the expansion of the national highway system; and the founding of SAARC; he committed his nation`s forces as an ally to the United States in the Gulf War. He is the founder of the Jatiya Party, currently the second-largest party in the Jatiyo Sangshad.

Ershad is currently a member of parliament and the Chairman of Jatiyo Party. In 1989, Ershad pushed parliament to make Islam the state religion, in a sharp departure from Bangladesh`s original secular constitution.

Ershad has twice been honoured as a United Nations Laureate, for contributions on population and environmental issues. He was awarded "Lifetime Achievement on Universal Courage and Heroism" at We Care for Humanity`s 3rd Global Officials of Dignity Awards which was held at UN Millennium Hotel in August 2015.