Shah Azizur Rahman facts for kids

Shah Azizur Rahman (Bengali: শাহ আজিজুর রহমান; 23 November 1925 – 1 September 1989) was a politician from Bangladesh. He held the important position of Prime Minister of Bangladesh. He was also known for his actions during the time Bangladesh was fighting for its independence.

Early Life and Education

Shah Azizur Rahman was born in Kushtia, which was then part of Bengal in British India. This was on November 23, 1925. He studied English Language and Literature at Calcutta University. Later, he continued his studies at Dhaka University.

While he was a student, he was very active in politics. From 1945 to 1947, he was the general secretary of the All Bengal Muslim Student League. He also took part in the Bengal Provincial Muslim League and the movement to create Pakistan. After India was divided, he became the joint secretary of the East Pakistan Muslim League.

He did not support the Bengali Language movement in 1952. This movement was about making Bengali an official language. He stayed involved in politics in Pakistan. He often spoke against Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a leader who wanted more freedom for East Pakistan.

Political Journey

Shah Azizur Rahman was the general secretary of the East Pakistan Muslim League from 1952 to 1958. In 1962, he ran for elections in the Pakistan National Assembly from Kushtia but did not win. He joined the National Democratic Front in 1962.

In March 1964, he joined the Awami League party. He was then chosen as the vice-president of the Pakistan Awami League. In 1965, he was elected to the National Assembly from Kushtia. He served as the deputy leader of the opposition from 1965 to 1969. He was also one of the lawyers who defended people in the Agartala conspiracy case.

Role During the Liberation War

When the Bangladesh Liberation War began, Rahman supported the Pakistani government forces. He spoke against the Bengali people's fight for independence. In November 1971, he led Pakistan's group to the United Nations. There, he said that the Pakistani Army's actions were not as bad as some claimed.

After Pakistan lost the war in 1971, Rahman was arrested. This was under a law for people who had helped the Pakistani forces. However, he was released in 1973. This happened because President Sheikh Mujib gave a general pardon to many people. After the war, many people had been killed by Pakistani forces and groups helping them. Rahman continued to ask Muslim countries in the Middle East not to recognize Bangladesh as an independent country.

Becoming Prime Minister

After Sheikh Mujib was killed, Shah Azizur Rahman joined the Muslim League in Bangladesh in 1976. Then, in 1978, he joined the new Bangladesh Nationalist Party. This party was started by President Ziaur Rahman. Shah Azizur Rahman became the minister of labor and industry in Ziaur Rahman's government.

President Ziaur Rahman first thought about making another person prime minister. But that person passed away suddenly. So, Shah Azizur Rahman was appointed Prime Minister on April 15, 1979. It is believed that Ziaur Rahman preferred other people for the job. However, he wanted the party's elected members to choose their leader. Shah Azizur Rahman won this vote, so Ziaur Rahman had to choose him.

As prime minister, Shah Azizur Rahman helped pass a law called the Indemnity Act. This law protected certain actions taken by a previous leader. Shah Azizur Rahman also helped Ziaur Rahman organize the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. This party won the elections in 1979.

After President Ziaur Rahman was killed in 1981, Shah Azizur Rahman stayed on as prime minister. The new President, Abdus Sattar, kept him in the role. However, both President Sattar and Prime Minister Rahman were removed from power in 1982. This happened during a military takeover led by army chief Hossain Mohammad Ershad.

Death

Shah Azizur Rahman passed away in Dhaka on September 1, 1989. He was 63 years old.

See also

• Azizur Rahman ministry