The 43rd death anniversary of veteran politician Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani is being observed across the country on Sunday (Nov 17).

Popularly known as Majlum Jananeta (the leader of the downtrodden), Maulana Bhasani passed away on Nov 17 in 1976.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tributes to the veteran politician, reports BSS.

In order to mark the day, different socio-cultural organizations will organize various programs which will include placing wreaths at Bhasani's grave in Tangail and offering prayers.

Awami League, BNP, Jatiya Party, Maulana Bhasani Science and Technology University, and Maulana Bhasani Foundation and other political parties, educational institutes and organizations will pay homage to him by placing wreaths at his grave.

Bhasani was a popular leader in his fight against imperialism and oppression by the then Pakistani rulers.

Born in 1880 in Dhangara in Sirajganj, Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani was the son of Haji Sharafat Ali Khan. He gained immense popularity among farmers and is regarded as the proponent of secular and left-leaning politics in Bangladesh.

He was the founder president of the Pakistan Awami Muslim League that later became Awami League. He also formed a progressive political organization called National Awami Party.

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