The sixth death anniversary of freedom fighter Shajahan Siraj, a key organiser of the Liberation War and former minister who famously read the manifesto of independence, will be observed on Tuesday, July 14.
Siraj passed away in Dhaka on this day in 2020 at the age of 77.
Various programmes have been organised by the Shajahan Siraj Foundation, Kalihati Shajahan Siraj College, and the Shajahan Siraj Welfare Trust to mark the occasion.
The day’s events will include a visit to the Banani Cemetery in Dhaka to place wreaths at his grave, Quran recitation in Dhaka and Tangail, and food distribution for needy children.
Special prayers have been arranged at mosques and temples across various unions in Kalihati. Additionally, the Shajahan Siraj Welfare Trust will place a wreath at the portrait of the deceased in Kalihati in the morning.
Kalihati Shajahan Siraj College has organised a special commemoration meeting and prayer session at 10 am on the college campus in Tangail.
The function will be presided over by Supreme Court senior lawyer Barrister Sarwat Siraj Shukla, the president of the Shajahan Siraj College Governing Council and daughter of the deceased.
Md Lutfar Rahman Matin, MP for Tangail-4, will attend as the chief guest, while Rabeya Siraj, a donor member of the college and representative of the Governing Council, will speak as the main discussant.
National and local dignitaries are also expected to participate in the discussion.
A historical student leader, Shajahan Siraj played a significant role in the Six-Point movement of 1966 and the Mass Uprising of 1969.
On March 3, 1971, he read the manifesto of independence at a rousing rally of students and the public at Paltan Maidan. He was one of the initiators of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) after independence and later joined the national politics of the BNP.
Throughout his colourful political life, Siraj was elected as a member of the National Parliament five times from the Tangail-4 (Kalihati) constituency. He served with honesty and efficiency as the state minister for Shipping and the Minister for Forests and Environment.
On the occasion of his death anniversary, his family has sought prayers from the countrymen. In addition to programmes in Kalihati, the family has taken initiatives to organise Milad Mahfils and distribute food among the needy at various locations.
