বাংলা 
English 
In the history of Bengal, Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani was an unforgettable leader. He is called the "leader of the oppressed masses". Although he later became known as the national leader of the whole of East Pakistan, that is, of Bangladesh, his political life began in Assam.
It was from the soil of Assam that he took the lessons of the people's politics and became a lifelong struggler for winning the rights of the exploited people.
🌾 1. The Social and Political Context of Assam
During British rule Assam was a backward region, where a large part of the Muslim community were farmers and labourers. The landlords, the tea-garden owners and the British administration exploited them. On the other hand, from East Bengal (present-day Bangladesh) many poor Muslim farmers came to Assam and began cultivating land. Many of them were subjected to discrimination, being called "outsiders".
Against this backdrop Maulana Bhashani stood beside the people and began the movement to win their rights.
✊ 2. The Movement for the Liberation of Farmers and Working People
Maulana Bhashani organised the Muslim farmers and labourers of Assam.
- He protested against the unjust imposition of taxes by the landlords.
- He raised the demand for the farmers' rights to land and fair wages.
- He conducted various movements demanding an end to the oppression of poor farmers.
It was as a result of this movement that he received the title "leader of the oppressed masses" and earned the deep love of the people.
🏛️ 3. The Leadership of the Assam Provincial Muslim League
In 1944 Maulana Bhashani was elected president of the Assam Provincial Muslim League. Under his leadership the Muslims became organised and emerged as an influential force in the politics of Assam.
- Going from village to village, he awakened the political consciousness of the Muslims.
- He presented the Muslim League's Lahore Resolution (the Pakistan Resolution) before the people.
- He campaigned to keep Assam as part of a Muslim-majority region.
🚜 4. The Role of Protecting the Rights of Bengali Farmers and Migrants
During the British period and later, many Muslim farmers came from East Bengal to Assam. Some local groups reviled them as "Bengali infiltrators".
Maulana Bhashani took a firm stand against this discrimination.
- He said that these people had settled there with the approval of the British government itself, so it was unjust to strip them of their rights.
- He campaigned for the demand of establishing the civil and political rights of Bengali Muslims.
🕌 5. The Role in Religious and Social Reform
Bhashani was not only a politician; he was also an Islamic thinker.
- He worked for the spread of religious education and for social justice.
- Instead of using religion to divide, he showed the path of human welfare.
- His speech and way of life were linked with the simple ordinary people.
⚖️ 6. The Basis of His Political Philosophy and 'Bhashaniism'
It was the experience of Assam that directed him onto the path of the people's politics. It was here that he realised -
"If politics does not bring welfare to people, then it is meaningless."
It is from this thought that his "Bhashaniism" or the politics of the people later developed, which in turn influenced the liberation movement of East Pakistan, that is, of Bangladesh.
Maulana Bhashani's contribution to the politics of Assam was extraordinary.
He drew the strength of his leadership from the life-struggles of the Muslim farmers, labourers and Bengali migrants. His movement made the people of Assam conscious of their rights, and at the same time it created an awakening among the people of the whole of Bengal.
Therefore, in the judgement of history it may be said - Maulana Bhashani was the herald of the liberation of the people of Assam and the symbol of the voice of the people in the politics of Bengal.
