Professor emeritus Dr. Anisuzzaman said that to build secular state Mahatma Gandhi is the inspiration.
In Bangladesh there was an attempt to build up secular state and society. The attempt of building this secular state, the thoughts and spirit of Mahatma Gandhi was our guide line.
On Friday (July 26) morning Dr. Anisuzzaman told these as the chief guest at the discussion meeting held in connection with the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at National Press Club.
He said that Gandhi did not become Mahatma in a single day. He had to cross many turbulent times in the first phase of his life. As a lawyer he went to South Africa where he protested the illegal activities of the state leaderships. That landed him in prison. But he did no deviate from his ideals. At first he used to talk about the rights of the Indians. He spoke in favor of the rights of the Indians to the British rulers.
Professor Anisuzzaman said that his non-cooperation movement became a non-violent situation across the world. A large number of people responded to his call even they were beaten and killed by the English rulers. In this way the attention of the people towards truth was established. In some cases some of his role surprised us.
`Thousands of people gathered in Jalinwallabag of Punjab at his call against the English rulers. The English rulers finding no other alternatives killed a huge number of protesters. Finally the non-cooperation movement of Mahatma Gandhi took turn to our freedom gathering further momentum. The huge response by the people of this sub-continent was a unique instance in the world history.'
Eminent columnist and Researcher Syed Abul Maksud addressing the discussion said that Mahatma Gandhi came to this country a number of times. In 1947 he stayed in Dhaka for about 4 to 5 months. At that time he toured several districts of East Bengal and preached the message of peace. When staying of Gandhi for only five miniuits was a great matter at that time, his so long stay was really meaningful.
Syed Maksud said for the last forty years I have collected information and data about Gandhi and in that light two books will be published on Gandhi in Bangladesh. The books will be published simultaneously from Kolkata and Bangladesh. Initiatives will be taken so that in Colleges and Universities the noble verses of Gandhi is studied. Because Gandhi had left us the example of humanitarian system politics coming out from the conventional system of politics.
The function was also addressed among others by Gandhi Memorial Museum Director – Secretary of West Bengal Pratik Ghose and Professor Rubayiat Ferdous.