A discussion meeting titled “Salam Talukder: Leader and Human” was held at Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Friday, marking 27th death anniversary of BNP’s former secretary-general late barrister Abdus Salam Talukder.
The event was organised by Jamalpur Samity, Dhaka, read a press release.
Mahmudur Rahman Manna, veteran politician and president of Nagorik Oikya, attended the programme as chief guest.
The late leader’s political successor, Faridul Kabir Talukder Shamim, Member of Parliament (MP) elected from Jamalpur-4 and three-time president of Jamalpur District BNP, was present as the special guest.
The secretary-general of the samity and pioneer of cancer prevention movement, Professor Dr Habibullah Talukder Raskin, was the keynote speaker.
Addressing the event, keynote speaker Professor Dr Habibullah Talukder Raskin highlighted Barrister Abdus Salam Talukder’s role as a worthy comrade of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia during the anti-autocracy movement of 1990s, mass uprising, and subsequent formation of the government following victory in a free and fair election.
He emphasised that Barrister Salam Talukder played an extremely important role in re-establishing parliamentary democracy in the country.
Dr Raskin noted that after martyrdom of president Ziaur Rahman, when housewife Khaleda Zia took the helm of BNP as chairperson, prominent leaders left her due to various allurements from the autocrat Ershad.
At that critical juncture, she appointed Barrister Salam Talukder as secretary-general, identifying him as the most competent and trustworthy associate.
Dr Raskin added that Salam Talukder fully honoured that trust, and his deep patriotism, unquestionable honesty, refined education, intellect, and moral and human values earned him a distinct and clean reputation among the public.
He also recalled with deep gratitude his uncle Salam Talukder’s guidance and inspiration, which motivated him to become a physician, shun the pursuit of wealth, lead the social movement for cancer prevention, and establish non-profit, service-oriented cancer hospitals in Dhaka and Dinajpur.
Speaking as the chief guest, Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna remarked that while politics is often dominated by displays of power, there is a severe dearth of wise individuals who make decisions grounded in principles and ideals.
He described Barrister Abdus Salam Talukder as a rare politician who remained humble despite being at the heights of power and dedicated himself entirely to keeping his party well-organised.
Manna cited Salam Talukder’s role in the 1990s movement and his political courtesy towards opponents as exemplary standards for modern politics.
Special guest Faridul Kabir Talukder Shamim, MP, described his late uncle as a guardian of multi-party democracy in Bangladesh, rather than just a regional or party leader.
He compared Salam Talukder to a “banyan tree” under whose shadow he learned his foundational lessons in patriotism and politics. Shamim stated that he aims to follow his uncle’s ideals of staying close to the soil and winning people’s hearts to serve the nation.
Presided over by the Vice-President of the samity, Afzal Khan, the discussion was also addressed by Samity Vice-President and former secretary-general Md Nazrul Islam, Vice-President and Supreme Court Lawyer Md Mujibur Rahman, Abu Bakar Siddique, Hasinur Rahman Chowdhury, public health expert Dr Hasanuzzam Shibly, Major (Retd) Abdur Rob, and Chhatra Dal leader Ariful Islam.
The event was moderated by the joint secretary-general of the samity, Humayun Kabir Akand.
The programme concluded with a prayer (doa) seeking eternal peace for the departed soul of the deceased. The press release was issued by Engineer Ahsan Habib, Organising Secretary of Jamalpur Samity, Dhaka.
