The 59th death anniversary of the champion of democracy and one of the greatest leaders of undivided India, Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy will be observed in Bangladesh on Monday in a befitting manner.
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.
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.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday, on the eve of the day, paid her rich tributes to the memory of Suhrawardy on the occasion of his death anniversary. In a message, she prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul of Suhrawardy, terming him “the champion of democracy.”
The prime minister said Suhrawardy fought for establishing political rights and socio-economic development of the working people of the subcontinent throughout his life.
She also said that the country’s great independence was achieved under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the greatest Bengali of all time and the successor of Suhrawardy.
Since the establishment of Pakistan in 1947, Suhrawardy organized the people of this country against the anti-people activities of the then Pakistani government, she added.
Hossain Shaheed Suhrawardy was a wise and prudent political personality, the premier said, adding that he played an important role in the establishment of the then Awami Muslim League (later Awami League).
She said the nation will always remember the contribution of Suhrawardy with due respect.
She hoped Suhrawardy’s life and ideals will inspire the nation in democratic progress and the welfare of the people. Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy was born in a respected Muslim family at Medinipur in West Bengal, India on September 8, 1892.
