BHOLA, June 02: Veteran politician, one of the key organizers of 1971 Liberation War, former Industries and Commerce Minister, and nine-time Member of Parliament Tofail Ahmed was laid to rest on Tuesday amid an outpouring of grief, respect, and affection from thousands of people in his home district of Bhola.
People from different political backgrounds, social organizations, and various walks of life gathered to pay their last respects to the veteran leader, whose long political career left a significant mark not only in his home district but also on Bangladesh's political landscape.
A state guard of honour was accorded to Tofail Ahmed at the Bhola Government Boys' High School ground on Tuesday afternoon. Following the ceremony, people from across the district placed floral wreaths on his coffin, which was draped by the national flag.
The funeral prayer was led by Maulana Zamir Uddin, khatib of Bhola Khalifapatti Jame Mosque. Thousands of mourners attended the prayer despite the intense summer heat, reflecting the deep respect and admiration the late politician commanded among the people of Bhola and beyond.
Among those present were Bhola district BNP Convener Golam Nabi Alamgir, Member Secretary Raisul Alam, leaders and activists of various political parties, representatives of civil society, teachers, lawyers, business leaders, and ordinary citizens.
Earlier in the day, Tofail Ahmed's body was flown from Dhaka to Bhola by a helicopter. His family members, political colleagues, supporters, and well-wishers received the body.
Following the funeral at the school ground, the body was taken to his ancestral home in Koralia village under South Dighaldi Union of Bhola Sadar Upazila. A third and final funeral prayer was held at the local mosque premises before he was laid to rest beside the graves of his parents in the family cemetery.
Meanwhile, a brief period of tension emerged ahead of the funeral. A group of Jubo Dal activists staged a protest around noon, expressing their objections over the use of the Bhola Government Boys' High School ground for the funeral prayer.
The protesters referred to an earlier incident during the Awami League administration when funeral prayers for Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leaders Nur-e-Alam and Rahim, who were killed in police firing, were reportedly not allowed to be held at the same venue. They demanded an explanation for what they described as unequal treatment.
However, senior BNP leaders, local administration officials, and members of law enforcement agencies intervened and brought the situation under control. The funeral proceedings were subsequently held peacefully.
