Abdur Rahman Biswas

2022-06-11T03:42:42Z

115.42.52.50:

{{short description|Bangladeshi politician}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Abdur Rahman Biswas
|native_name = আবদুর রহমান বিশ্বাস
|native_name_lang = bn
|image = Abdur Rahman Biswas.jpg
|imagesize =
|office = [[President of Bangladesh]]
|primeminister = [[Khaleda Zia]] [[Muhammad Habibur Rahman]] (acting) [[Sheikh Hasina]]
|term_start = 10 October 1991
|term_end = 9 October 1996
|predecessor = [[Shahabuddin Ahmed]] (acting)
|successor = Shahabuddin Ahmed
|birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1926|9|1}}
|birth_place = Shaistabad, [[Barisal District]], [[Bengal Presidency]], [[British India]]<ref name=bpedia>{{cite book |last=Ahmed |first=Helal Uddin |year=2012 |chapter=Abdur Rahman Biswas |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Biswas,_Abdur_Rahman |editor1-last=Islam |editor1-first=Sirajul |editor1-link=Sirajul Islam |editor2-last=Jamal |editor2-first=Ahmed A. |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |edition=Second |publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]]}}</ref>
|death_date = {{death date and age|2017|11|3|1926|9|1|df=yes}}
|death_place = [[Dhaka]], Bangladesh
|resting_place = [[Banani graveyard]], Dhaka
|party = [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party]]
|spouse = [[Hosne Ara Rahman]] (?–2017; ''her death'')
|alma_mater = [[University of Dhaka]]
}}
'''Abdur Rahman Biswas''' (1 September 1926 – 3 November 2017) was a Bangladeshi politician. He was the [[President of Bangladesh]] from 1991 to 1996. Biswas represented Pakistan at the [[United Nations General Assembly]] prior to the independence of Bangladesh.<ref name=bpedia/>

==Early life and education==
Biswas was born in Shaistabad village, [[Barisal District]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bangabhaban.gov.bd/Homes/president_sub_menu/1/35|title=Former Presidents|website=Bangabhaban|publisher=Office of the President of Bangladesh|access-date=25 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201164428/http://www.bangabhaban.gov.bd/Homes/president_sub_menu/1/35|archive-date=1 February 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He was educated at the [[University of Dhaka]], where he received [[Bachelor of Arts|BA]] with honours and an [[Master of Arts|MA]] in history and a degree in law.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|title=Honourable President Abdur Rahman Biswas|url=http://bangabhaban.gov.bd/Homes/president_sub_menu/1/3/6/1|website=Bangabhaban|publisher=Office of the President of Bangladesh|access-date=25 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025114157/http://bangabhaban.gov.bd/Homes/president_sub_menu/1/3/6/1|archive-date=25 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> His subsequent public service included chairing a local cooperative bank and sponsoring educational initiatives.<ref name=bpedia/> He joined the legal profession in the 1950s. He was elected president of the Barisal Bar Association twice in the 1970s and worked as a Supreme Court lawyer.<ref name=bdnews24death/>

==Political career==
Biswas started his political career when he joined the [[Muslim League (Pakistan)|Muslim League]] during [[Ayub Khan (President of Pakistan)|Ayub Khan]]'s regime. He was elected as a representative to the [[East Pakistan]] Legislative Assembly in 1962 and 1965.<ref name=bdnews24death/> In 1967, he represented Pakistan at the [[UN General Assembly]].<ref name=bpedia/> He became chairman of Barisal Municipality in 1977. He became a member of parliament in the [[1979 Bangladeshi general election]].<ref name=bpedia/> He served as minister of textiles and [[jute]] under the cabinet of President [[Ziaur Rahman]], and later as health minister under President [[Abdus Sattar]]. He served as a vice-chairman of the [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party]].<ref name=bdnews24death/> He elected as a member of parliament in the [[1991 Bangladeshi general election|1991 election]] and soon after got selected as the [[Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad|Speaker of the Parliament]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Liton |first=Shakhawat |title=Khaleda follows in BNP founder Ziaur Rahman's footsteps |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/khaleda-follows-zias-footsteps-97276 |newspaper=The Daily Star |access-date=27 June 2015}}</ref> He became Bangladesh's 16th president on 10 September the same year.<ref name=bdnews24death/>

==President of Bangladesh==
For most of his tenure as president, Biswas spent his time reading and meeting dignitaries including [[Nobel laureate]] physicist [[Abdus Salam]], [[Prime Minister of Pakistan]], [[Nawaz Sharif]], the [[Prime Minister of Nepal]], [[Jigme Singye Wangchuck]], the [[King of Bhutan]] and the Malaysian Prime Minister [[Mahathir Bin Mohamad]].<ref name=":1" /> As head of the [[Caretaker government of Bangladesh]], however, he faced challenges from the [[Military of Bangladesh|military]] and political instability in the country.<ref name="bpedia" /><ref name=":0" />

=== February 1996 election ===
{{See also|February 1996 Bangladeshi general election}}

From mid-1994, clashes between the [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party|BNP]] backed [[Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal|Jatioabadi Chhatra Dal]] and [[Bangladesh Awami League|Awami League]] backed [[Bangladesh Chhatra League]] led to increasing violence in the form of bomb and arson attacks on party bureaus, newspaper offices and government buildings.<ref name=":0" /> In the midst of violence, the opposition led by the Awami League's [[Sheikh Hasina]], pledged to boycott national elections scheduled for 15 February 1996. When [[Khaleda Zia]]'s BNP was re-elected for the second term in that election, it was boycotted and denounced by the three main opposition parties.<ref name=":0" /> On 26 March, in the face of increasing opposition, the newly elected parliament enacted the thirteenth constitutional amendment bill paving the way for the appointment of an interim caretaker government.<ref name=":0" />

=== June 1996 election ===
{{See also|June 1996 Bangladeshi general election}}

On 28 March 1996, Biswas signed the [[Caretaker Government]] bill into law, which was welcomed by [[human rights organisation]]s.<ref name=":0">{{cite journal|date=1 June 1996|title=Bangladesh Political Violence on All Sides|url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/1996/BANGLA.htm|journal=Human Rights Watch|volume=8|issue=6|access-date=20 October 2016}}</ref> As a result, Biswas dissolved the newly elected legislature and, as Khaleda Zia stepped down, while appointed former [[Chief Justice of Bangladesh|Chief Justice]] [[Muhammad Habibur Rahman|Habibur Rahman]] was appointed as chief adviser to head an interim government that was poised to preside over fresh national elections on 12 June 1996.<ref name=":0" />

===[[1996 Bangladesh coup d'état attempt|1996 coup]]===
On 19 May 1996, Biswas, as head of a caretaker government, ordered the army chief Lieutenant General [[Abu Saleh Mohammad Nasim]] to force the retirement of Major-General Morshed Khan, commander of [[Bogra Cantonment]], and Brigadier Miron Hamidur Rahman, deputy chief of paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Dhaka Faces Revolt |url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/dhaka-faces-revolt/324127.html |newspaper=The Moscow Times |date=21 May 1996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621062332/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/dhaka-faces-revolt/324127.html |archive-date=21 June 2015 |access-date=21 June 2015}}</ref> Both officers had issued statements expressing dissatisfaction with the country's situation.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Ali |first=M. M. |title=Shaikh Hasina Takes Over From Khalida Zia in Successful Bangladesh Election |url=http://www.wrmea.org/1996-august-september/shaikh-hasina-takes-over-from-khalida-zia-in-successful-bangladesh-election.html |magazine=Washington Report on Middle East Affairs |publisher=American Educational Trust |access-date=21 June 2015}}</ref> The President believed that they were involved in political activities with opposition parties. Nasim refused to comply. The next day, Biswas sacked him and sent soldiers to control the state radio and television stations. On noon that day, Nasim ordered soldiers of [[Bogra]], [[Jessore (city)|Jessore]] and [[Mymensingh]] divisions to march towards [[Dhaka]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dahlburg |first1=John-Thor |date=21 May 1996 |title=Bangladeshi President Fires Army Chief |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1996-05-21/news/mn-6642_1_presidents-army-fires |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |access-date=21 June 2015}}</ref> The Ninth Infantry Division's Major General Imamuzzaman, who commanded the division located closest to Dhaka, remained loyal to the President. He directed the removal of all boats and ferries from [[Jamuna River (Bangladesh)|Jamuna River]] in [[Aricha]] port, so that Bogra and Jessore divisions could not cross the river.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh Tense After Army Chief's Firing |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1996/05/21/bangladesh-tense-after-army-chiefs-firing/0337549e-d9e6-423e-be0d-98d47bfb5ba3/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=21 June 2015}}</ref>

Biswas sent a contingent of troops with tanks to blockade the Dhaka-Mymenshing highway.<ref name="BEAC"/> This prevented Mymensingh Division Army from entering Dhaka. In the meantime, [[Major General]] Mohammad Anwar Hossain, General Officer Commanding of the 33rd Infantry Division located in [[Comilla]], also came to the aid of the president. He mobilised a fully geared 101 Infantry Brigade, under the command of Brigadier Shah Ikram (later Major General) to Dhaka to fortify [[Bangabhaban]], the presidential palace.<ref name="BACF">{{cite news |title=Bangladesh's Army Chief Fire d|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1996-05-20/news/9605210161_1_commanders-dismiss-presidential-palace |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=20 May 1996 |access-date=21 June 2015}}</ref> The 33rd Division was deployed, using an Infantry Battalion and a company of tanks from the 7th Horse Armoured Battalion at the [[N1 (Bangladesh)|Dhaka-Chittagong highway]], to create a blockade against the 24th Infantry Division located in Chittagong.<ref name=":2" /> The government broadcast announcements asking all soldiers to stay at their own cantonment. After some hours, Mymensingh Division soldiers returned to their barracks.<ref name="BACF"/> The Chittagong Division never mobilised towards Dhaka. The General Officer Commanding of the Chittagong Division realised that the military coup was highly unlikely to succeed.<ref name=":1" /> That night Nasim was interviewed by the [[BBC]] and, in reference to troop movements, he said that as Army Chief, he could move troops anytime he wanted.<ref name="BACF"/> Nasim was arrested by the Brigade Commander of 14 Independent Engineers Brigade and put under house arrest in the Army Mess behind Army Central Library, Staff road, [[Dhaka Cantonment]].<ref name="BEAC"/> Later the [[Awami League]] government, which was elected to power in 1996, granted him a formal retirement.<ref name="BEAC">{{cite news |title=Bangladesh ex-army chief arrested|url=http://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/05/21/Bangladesh-ex-army-chief-arrested/3381832651200/|work=United Press International|access-date=21 June 2015}}</ref> Biswas later recalled the events as his "most memorable experience."<ref name=":1" /> He stepped down as president on 9 October 1996 and was succeeded by [[Shahabuddin Ahmed]].<ref name=":2" />

==Personal life==
Biswas was married to [[Hosne Ara Rahman]] (1934 – 17 June 2017)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bangladeshnewsgazette.com/former-president-abdur-rahman-biswass-wife-passes-away/|title = Former president Abdur Rahman Biswas's wife passes away – Bangladesh News Gazette}}</ref> a cousin of politician [[Rashed Khan Menon]].<ref name=bdnews24death>{{Cite news |url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2017/11/03/former-bangladesh-president-abdur-rahman-biswas-dies-at-91|title=Former Bangladesh president Abdur Rahman Biswas dies at 91|work=bdnews24.com|date=2017-11-03|access-date=2017-11-04}}</ref> Together they had five sons Monu Biswas, [[Ehteshamul Haque Nasim]] (12 November 1960 - 12 March 1998), Shamsuddoza Kamal Biswas, Jamilur Rahman Shibli Biswas, and Muidur Rahman Romel Biswas, and two daughters Akhi Biswas and Rakhi Biswas.<ref name=bdnews24death/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://en.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/news/165317/Former-president-Abdur-Rahman-Biswas-dies|title=Ex-president Abdur Rahman Biswas dies|date=3 November 2017|access-date=3 November 2017|work=Prothom Alo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107221752/http://en.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/news/165317/Former-president-Abdur-Rahman-Biswas-dies|archive-date=7 November 2017|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/ex-president-biswas-passes-away-1486117|title=Ex-president Biswas passes away|date=2017-11-04|work=The Daily Star|access-date=2017-11-05|language=en}}</ref>

==Later life==
After the end of his presidency, Biswas retired permanently from politics.<ref>{{cite news|title=B Chy, Dr Kamal call for action against corruption|url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/2003/12/25/d3122501044.htm|access-date=3 November 2016|newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]|date=25 December 2003}}</ref> In 2006, during the [[2006–08 Bangladeshi political crisis|unfolding crisis]], Biswas's house in Barisal was set on fire by [[Awami League]] activists.<ref>{{cite news |title=12 killed in Bangladesh clashes |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/archive/2006/10/2008410142730511186.html |access-date=3 November 2016 |work=[[Aljazeera]] |date=28 October 2006}}</ref>

Biswas died on 3 November 2017 at [[United Hospital, Dhaka]] from respiratory problems, aged 91.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2017/11/03/president-abdur-rahman-biswas-dies/|title=President Abdur Rahman Biswas Dies at 91|newspaper=Dhaka Tribune|access-date=3 November 2017|date=3 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://m.bdnews24.com/en/detail/bangladesh/1416658|title=President Abdur Rahman Biswas Dies at 91|work=bdnews24.com|access-date=3 November 2017|date=3 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=0&id=700373&date=2017-11-03|title=Former President Abdur Rahman Biswas passes away|work=Bangladesh Sangbad Sagstha|language=en|date=2017-11-03|access-date=2017-11-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171103233459/http://www.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=0&id=700373&date=2017-11-03|archive-date=3 November 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was buried in [[Banani Graveyard]] on 4 November.<ref name=bn24>{{cite news|title=Abdur Rahman Biswas laid to rest |url=http://www.banglanews24.com/english/politics/article/64779/abdur-rahman-biswas-laid-to-rest |work=[[Banglanews24.com]] |date=2017-11-04 |access-date=2017-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171104154649/http://www.banglanews24.com/english/politics/article/64779/abdur-rahman-biswas-laid-to-rest |archive-date=2017-11-04 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{BangladeshPresidents}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Biswas, Abdur Rahman}}
[[Category:1926 births]]
[[Category:2017 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Barisal District]]
[[Category:Bangladesh Nationalist Party politicians]]
[[Category:Presidents of Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Speakers of the Jatiya Sangsad]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi lawyers]]
[[Category:University of Dhaka alumni]]
[[Category:Burials at Banani Graveyard]]
[[Category:5th Jatiya Sangsad members]]

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Abdur Rahman Biswas