Hamid, Shah Abdul

Hamid, Shah Abdul (1900-1972) lawyer, politician. He was born in 1900 at village Khalsi in Govindaganj thana of Gaibandha district. His father Shah Abdul Gafoor was a well-to-do jotedar. Abdul Hamid passed his Matriculation Examination from Govindapur High School in 1916, IA from Ripon College in Kolkata in 1918 and obtained BA degree in 1920 from Carmiechal College, Rangpur. He obtained B.L degree from Calcutta University in 1927 and joined the bar in Gaibandha court in 1928.

Shah Abdul Hamid started his political career as an activist of indian national congress. In 1936 he joined muslim league and was elected as president of Gaibandha sub-divisional unit of the party. He was elected as member of Rangpur Zila Board in 1941 and as vice-president in 1942. He was the president of Rangpur School Board from 1943 to 1953. In 1946, he was elected as member of Indian Legislative Assembly as a candidate of Muslim League. Between 1951 and 1955 Abdul Hamid was the Director of Central Board of National Bank. Abdul Hamid joined awami league in 1956. He had been the president of Rangpur district Awami League from 1957 to 1966. He had active role in the Six-point Movement of 1966 and the mass upsurge of 1969.

Shah Abdul Hamid was elected as member of Constitutional Assembly of Pakistan in 1970. During the War of Liberation he was a member of finance sub-committee of zonal council No.6 (Kuch Bihar). He was elected as Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad at its first session in April 1972.

Shah Abdul Hamid was an organizer of athletics, patron of education and a cultural activist. He was the general secretary of Gaibandha Town Club, vice president of the working committee of Gaibandha Natya Parishad and of Gaibandha Public Library and Club. He died on 1 May 1972. [Muhammad Moniruzzaman]