A BIOGRAPHY OF ATAUR RAHMAN KHAN

In 1924, Ataur Rahman successfully completed the Matriculation examination at Pogose School in Dhaka. Subsequently, in 1927, he cleared the FA examination at Jagannath College. In 1930, he accomplished a BA (Hons) degree in Economics from Dhaka University. He achieved a B.L. degree from Dhaka University in 1936.

In 1937, Khan became a member of the Dhaka District Bar, and later, in 1942, he entered the judicial sector of the Civil Service as a Munsiff, holding this position until 1944. He then became a member of the Krishak Praja Samiti. There he held the position of secretary in the Dhaka District unit. In 1944, he became part of the All India Muslim League and subsequently took on the position of Vice President for the Manikganj unit of the league. In 1949, Khan was instrumental in establishing the Awami Muslim League, serving as its vice president until 1964. Notably, he emerged as a key figure in the Sarbadaliya Chhatra Sangram Parishad, playing a pivotal role in the 1952 Bengali Language movement.

In 1954, Khan assumed the role of co-convener for the United Front, which emerged victorious in the Provincial election. This led to his own election to the East Bengal Legislative Assembly. He served as the head of the Ministry of Civil Supplies within the United Front government under A. K. Fazlul Huq. The year 1955 saw his election to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, and he subsequently held the position of opposition leader in the East Pakistan Provincial Assembly from 1955 to 1956.

Following Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy’s ascent to the position of Prime Minister in Pakistan, a series of political maneuvers were set in motion. Abu Hossain Sarkar, then Chief Minister of East Pakistan, was induced to resign to pave the way for Ataur Rahman Khan’s role assumption. Khan officially took charge on September 1, 1956, forming the government of East Pakistan and subsequently becoming its Chief Minister.

However, Khan’s leadership was soon met with a power struggle. Particularly with the General Secretary of the Awami League, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Despite his tenure, Khan found Sheikh Mujib was more popular with Awami League party workers. Khan’s governance persisted until March 1958 when Governor A. K. Fazlul Huq removed him from the position. Abu Hossain Sarkar replaced him.

1. K. Fazlul Huq was replaced as governor by President Iskander Mirza, and Khan was reinstated as Chief Minister of East Pakistan within 12 hours. President’s rule was imposed, but two months later, Khan became Chief Minister once more. During a brawl in the East Bengal Legislative Assembly, Deputy Speaker Shahed Ali Patwary was killed, leading to General Ayub Khan’s takeover through martial law in Pakistan. Khan’s position as Chief Minister changed three times within a year, being removed and reinstated.

Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani criticized the government led by Ataur Rahman and Suhrawardy, with support from Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, leader of the leftist faction of Awami League, collaborated with Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy through the National Democratic Front to restore democracy in Pakistan. Khan succeeded Suhrawardy as President of Awami League in 1963, which strained his relationship with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. In 1969, Khan became the president of Dhaka High Court Bar Association. During the same year, due to differences with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he formed a new political party called Jatiya League.

In 1970, Khan participated in the national assembly elections but faced defeat. Amidst the Bangladesh Liberation War, he endured a six-month captivity under the Pakistan Army and regained freedom in September. Following Bangladesh’s independence, he secured a parliamentary seat in 1973. In 1975, Khan aligned with the Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League government led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Subsequently, he revitalized his Jatiya League after the government’s removal through a series of coups.

Khan became a member of parliament in 1979. He opposed General Hussain Mohammad Ershad’s leadership but later joined him. He served as Prime Minister from 1984 until January 1, 1985.