Maulana Bhasani memorabilia
The memorabilia, especially the Darbar Hall, of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani in Santosh under the district are being ruined due to lack of proper care and preservation.
Born in 1880 in Dhanpara village of Sirajganj, Bhasani fought against the imperialism and oppression of Pakistani rulers. The devoted leader of the common people spent almost his entire life for the oppressed masses, which earned him the title Mazlum Jana Neta, meaning leader of the oppressed. He passed away on November 17, 1976.
Bhasani's close aide and coordinator of Bhasani Research Centre Syed Irfanul Bari said Bhasani built the Darbar Hall as a symbol of communal harmony where people of all religions as well as the rich and the poor could come to voice their complaints without any fear.
The tin-roof Darbar Hall, built between April and August in 1970, has wooden pillars and is surrounded by a 3-foot-high brick boundary. It has space for 500 to 600 people. There is a 2-foot-high stage where Bhashani used to sit while giving speeches.
The first all-party conference to establish independent Bangladesh was held at the hall on January 9 in 1971. During the Liberation War, the Pakistani military tried to burn the historical hall but failed.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman went to Santosh on March 8 in 1975 and took his meal with Bhasani in the hall.
Bhasani is no more, but the Darbar Hall is still standing beside his grave in Santosh as a witness to the glorious past.
During a recent visit to Santosh, this correspondent saw that the roof of the hall leaked and the wooden pillars and frames had decayed.
The many other memorabilia of Bhasani in the museum, which was established in 1986 adjacent to the Darbar Hall, were also in bad condition due to lack of care.
The Darbar Hall and the museum were under the Islami University Trustee Board, but the hall came under the Maulana Bhasani Science and Technology University in 2003.
Vice-Chancellor of the university Prof Mohammad Alauddin said the condition of the hall is so bad that it could collapse in a storm.
"The university authorities are thinking of constructing a modern conference complex in Bhasani's name, keeping the historical Darbar Hall inside,” he said, adding that the Bhasani museum will also be renovated for preserving the memorabilia of the great leader properly.
Irfanul said the memories of all democratic movements and the Liberation War of the country are tied to the historic Darbar Hall. "So it must be preserved like other important memorabilia of the Liberation War," he said.
"Moreover, the university authorities will have to do everything to keep the sanctity of the Mazar (grave) of Maulana Bhasani," he added.
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