18th death anniversary of Ahsanullah Master today

Today (Saturday, May 7) is the 18th death anniversary of the Independence award winning veteran freedom fighter, lawmaker and eminent labour leader Ahsan Ullah Master. 

On this occasion, elaborate programmes have been taken by Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master Foundation and Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master, MP, Smriti Parishad in different areas, including Dhaka and Gazipur maintaining the health rules. 

The programmes include milad and doa mahfil, distribution of food, condolence meeting and publications on his life and works. 

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave separate statements on the occasion, paying rich tribute to Ahsanullah Master, a pure solider of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. 

Marking the day, wreaths will be placed at the grave of Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master at Hyderabad village of Ward 39 of Gazipur City Corporation this morning while distribution of food, milad and doa-mahfil will be held in the afternoon. 

On this occasion, Ahsanullah Master, MP, Smriti Parishad organized a discussion meeting on "Role of Politicians and People's Representatives in Building a Terrorism-Free Society" at the Jatiya Press Club auditorium yesterday at 10:30 am. 

With Advocate Abdul Baten in the chiar, AL presidium member and former minister Advocate Quamrul Islam, MP, was present in the meeting as the chief guest, while National University Vice Chancellor Prof. Moshiur Rahman and Upazila Parishad Association Chairman Harun-or-Rashid Hawlader were present as the special guests. Journalist Ataur Rahman conducted the meeting. 

Besides, different political and socio-cultural organizations, including Gazipur Metropolitan unit of Awami League, Gazipur Journalists Union, Bhawal Sahitya O Sanskritik Parishad, Bhawal Ideal Academy, Hyderabad Janakalyan Samiti and Bhawal Shishu Kishore Forum have organized discussion meetings, milad and doa-mahfils, marking the day.

Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master was elected Member of Parliament from Gazipur-2 constituency (Gazipur Sadar-Tongi) twice in 1996 and 2001, Chairman of Gazipur Sadar Upazila Parishad in 1990 and Chairman of Pubail Union Parishad twice in 1983 and 1988. He was a member of the National Committee of the Awami League.

He was the executive president and general secretary of the Jatiya Sramik League. He was also the chairman of Bangladesh Institute of Labor Studies (BILS).

On May 7, 2004, a group of terrorists gunned down him at a public rally on the Noagaon MA Majid Mia High School ground.

Shahid Ahsan Ullah Master's eldest son and State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russell, MP, urged all including Awami League and Sramik League in different areas of Hyderabad, Tongi and Gazipur to observe the Ahsan Ullah Master's Martyrdom Anniversary program maintaining the health rules.