Ex-President Abdur Rahman Biswas passes away

Former President Abdur Rahman Biswas passed away at a city hospital on Friday night. He was 91. 

Rahman Biswas, who had long been suffering from old-age complications, breathed his last at United Hospital around 8:27pm, said BNP chairperson's media wing member Sayrul Kabir Khan.

Contacted, his son Mizanur Rahman A Hasan Moon Biswas said the former President fell seriously ill in the evening at his Banani’s Grand President Palace residence, and was taken to the United Hospital where doctors pronounced him dead.  

He said they will decide about Rahman Biswas’ burial after his elder brother Ehsanul Kabir Jamal Biswas returns home from the USA. His body will be kept at the United Hospital’s mortuary.

Rahman Biswas is survived by four sons and two daughters and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death. His wife Hosne Ara Rahman Biswas died at the same hospital on June 23 this year.

Rahman Biswas was the 14th President of Bangladesh during the 1991-1996 tenure of BNP. 

Born at Shaistabad village in Barisal district on September 1, 1926, he received school and college education in his hometown and obtained BA (Honours) and MA degree in History as well as LLB from Dhaka University.

According to Bangapedia, Rahman Biswas was elected member of the East Pakistan Legislative Assembly in 1962 and again in 1965. He worked as Parliamentary Secretary of East Pakistan from 1965 to 1969. 

He was elected President of Barisal Bar Association in 1974 and again in 1976, and was also elected Chairman of Barisal Municipality in 1977.

Rahman Biswas was elected MP in the general election held in 1979 and served as jute minister (1979-80) with President Ziaur Rahman and as health minister (1981-82) with President Justice Abdus Sattar.

He was elected MP in the February-27 election of 1991. He was then elected Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad on April 4, 1991. 

After the reintroduction of the parliamentary system of government in the country, Abdur Rahman Biswas was elected President on October 8, 1991. 

Meanwhile, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia expressed deep shock at his demise. She also prayed for salvation of the departed soul and conveyed her sympathy to the bereaved family members.

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir visited the hospital and consoled his family members.

Source: unb