A voice against maladies

His was a voice against social prejudice and religious bigotry. He dedicated his entire life for the betterment of mankind.

Knowing the philosophy and ideals of the writer-politician can greatly help overcome the challenges of fanaticism and extremism the country is facing today.

This was how noted satirist and politician Abul Mansur Ahmad was remembered at a discussion in Sylhet yesterday.

Dedicated to his life and works, the event was organised by Sylhet Mobile Pathagar at the Pathagar Hall of Sylhet Metropolitan Law College, marking his 39th death anniversary.

At the event, participated by litterateurs, educationists and journalists, journalist Abdul Basit presented a keynote speech.

His ideals are still relevant today both politically and socially, said Basit. Abul Mansur Ahmad constantly wrote against religious orthodoxy, prejudices and communalism.

The discussion session was presided over by educationist advocate Abdul Malik.

Columnist Belal Ahmed Chowdhury, poet Muhammad Abdul Haque, Bashirul Amin and Mahfuj Joha and writer Taslima Khanam Bithee participated in the discussion.

One of the greatest satirists of Bangla literature, Abul Mansur Ahmad was a renowned politician, lawyer and a very powerful journalist. He worked for Krishak, Nabajug and was editor of the daily Ittehad published from Kolkata in 1946 in undivided Bengal. He was a pioneer in modern and progressive journalism.

A successful politician, Abul Mansur Ahmad was the provincial education minister in the United Front Cabinet under Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Huq and the central commerce and industries minister of the Awami League government of Prime Minister Hossain Shaheed Suhrawardy in 1957.

Abul Mansur Ahmad's publications include satires like Aina, Asmani Purdah, Gulliverer Safarnama and Food Conference. His works also include insightful writings on social and political history of Bengal. He has two autobiographical writings -- Atma Katha (about myself) and Amar Dekha Rajnitir Panchash Bachar (50 years of politics as I saw it).

He was the author of the famous Ekush Dafa (21 points programme) election manifesto of the Jukta Front in the 1954 election.

Abul Mansur Ahmad was born on September 3, 1898 at Dhanikhola village in Trishal Thana of Mymensingh.

He passed away on March 18, 1979.