Today, November 7, 2023, on the occasion of the 27^th death anniversary of the lifeboat of peasants’ movement in Bangladesh, pioneers of the land movement, people’s intellectuals,

The organizer of the liberation war, the founding president of the Bangladesh Krishok Federation, the renowned farmers’ leader Comrade Abdus Sattar Khan, at his village home in Dashmina Upazila [county, an administrative division] of Patuakhali District [in South-central Bangladesh], Bangladesh Krishok Federation, Dr. Dolly Akbar Women’s College and local member of parliament SM Shahzada paid tributes with flowers. After that the central and local leaders participated in Bad Zohar Milad, a blessing and complementary feast. At 10 a.m., a discussion meeting on “Land, Food Sovereignty and Climate Change” was held in the auditorium of Dashmina Sadar Upazila Parishad under the chairmanship of Dr. Samsunnahar Khan Doli, President of Bangladesh Kishani Sabha and Female Vice Chairman of Dashmina Upazila. 

Honorable Member of National Parliament, Patuakhali-3 Constituency spoke as the chief guest. Mr. Md. Abdul Aziz Mia, Chairman, Dashmina Upazila Parishad, Central Committee President of Bangladesh Krishok Federation, Comrade Badrul Alam spoke as special guests.

Mr. Adv. Iqbal Mahmud Liton, Chairman, Dashmina Union Parishad and General Secretary Dashmina Upazila Awami League, Mr. Gazi Md. Mizanur Rahman Mizan, Member, Patuakhali Zilla Parishad, Dr. Dolly Akbar Mahila College Principal Md. Sohrab Hossain Biswas, Char Borhan Union Parishad Chairman Mr. Nazir Ahmed Sardar spoke as honorable speakers. 

Chief Speaker Farmer Leader Zayed Iqbal Khan, General Secretary, Bangladesh Krishok Federation, Joint Secretary Abdus Sattar Howladar, Patuakhali District Unit General Secretary Kayes Mahmud, Dasmina Upazila Unit President Md. Naya Mia Sikdar Leaders of various political parties, workers, farmers, youth , students, journalists, lawyers, cultural workers, doctors and professional leaders, spoke, among others.

Member of Parliament Mr. SM Shahzada said in his speech, Comrade Abdus Satter Khan was a dedicated man for the people. A person like him who works selflessly for the sake of the exploited people is rare today. Just as Bangabandhu stood for the exploited in the exploiter-exploited social system, Comrade Satter Khan also fought forever for the exploited people. During his student life, he witnessed the bright fighting spirit of Comrade Satter Khan and said that he is the pride of all of us as Dasmina’s offspring. He was vocal in the question of the rights of farmers, landless and working people beyond the borders of the country in the international arena. He also said that today is the 27^th death anniversary of Comrade Satter Khan but it seems that the incident happened on that very day. That means he left the body and did not die. His Spirit dwells within us.

Special guest Dasmina Upazila Chairman Abdul Aziz Miah remembered Satter Khan and said that he gave political training on how to establish the rights of poor people. Dashmina’s struggle during her lifetime is unprecedented. He has set a unique example of realizing demands by going on a peaceful hunger strike. He fought uncompromisingly against landlords like Maulana Bhasani.

Special guest Bangladesh Krishok Federation President Comrade Badrul Alam said, Comrade Abdus Satter Khan’s charismatic leadership, simple living, steadfastness to ideals have mesmerized us in student life. He was never swayed by power or greed. He endured jail-oppression-arrest order while establishing the rights of poor people. Never be retaliated. Mentioning that Comrade Abdus Khan’s politics was aimed at the liberation of poor people, he said, he spread the success of the Dasmina land movement across the country. Inspired by his ideals, massive land occupation was organized in different parts of the country. 

Honorable Guest Dasmina Upazila Chairman Mr. Adv. Iqbal Mahmud Liton described his experience of working with Comrade Satter Khan during his student life and said that the long march from Barisal to Dhaka under his leadership is still vivid in memory. A revolutionary like him is the pride of the entire country.

Other speakers mentioned the contribution of Comrade Abdus Satter Khan and said that because of him the neglected people of Dasmina have got the status of land owners today. Leaders of Char said, Abdus Satter Khan is quite clear in the memory of landless men and women.

After the discussion, a procession went around the various roads of Dashmina City and ended at Comrade Satter Khan’s mausoleum.

Date: 7 November 2023

News Sender,
Palash Hossain
Bangladesh Krishok Federation