Economist Dr. Mahbub Ullah described Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani as the undisputed leader of the anti-imperialist struggle in Bangladesh. He made the remark on Thursday at a discussion organized by the Bhashani Janashakti Party at the National Press Club’s Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall, marking the 54th anniversary of Bhashani’s return to the country. Dr. Ullah said Bhashani was a visionary who guided the political direction of the nation, always standing for farmers, workers, and the working class.

He noted that although Bhashani never held state power, he influenced many who later governed Bangladesh, including Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Kazi Zafar Ahmed, and Mashiur Rahman Jadu Mia. Dr. Ullah lamented that even 49 years after Bhashani’s death, his dream of an ideal Bangladesh remains unfulfilled. He urged politicians to study Bhashani’s life and philosophy and to introduce his ideals to the youth.

The event was chaired by Bhashani Janashakti Party chairman and freedom fighter Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu, with several political figures including Nazmul Haque Nannu and Dr. Abu Yusuf Selim also speaking.