Mohammed Shahabuddin

Last updated

His Excellency
Mohammed Shahabuddin
মোহাম্মদ সাহাবুদ্দিন [a]
Mohammed Shahabuddin Chuppu at the inauguration of President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan.jpg
Shahabuddin in 2023
16th President of Bangladesh
Incumbent
Assumed office
24 April 2023
Preceded by Mohammad Abdul Hamid
Personal details
Born (1949-12-10) 10 December 1949 (age 74)
Pabna, East Bengal, Pakistan
NationalityBangladeshi
Political party Bangladesh Awami League [2]
Spouse
​
(m. 1972)​
ChildrenArshad Adnan
Parent(s)Sharfuddin Ansari (father)
Khairunnessa (mother)
Residence(s) Bangabhaban, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Alma mater
NicknameChuppu [3]
Military service
Allegiance Flag of Bangladesh (1971).svg Bangladesh
Branch/service Flag of the Mukti Bahini-DeFacto.svg Mukti Bahini
Unit Mujib Bahini
Battles/wars Bangladesh Liberation War

Mohammed Shahabuddin [b] (born 10 December 1949) natively known as Chuppu, [c] is a Bangladeshi jurist, civil servant and politician who has served as the 16th and current president of Bangladesh since 2023. [1] He was elected unopposed in the 2023 presidential election as the nominee of the ruling Awami League. Prior to his presidency, Shahabuddin served as a district and sessions judge and a commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission from 2011 to 2016. [4]

Contents

Early life and education

Shahabuddin was born on 10 December 1949 in the Jubilee Tank area in Shivrampur of Sadar Upazila of Pabna District in erstwhile East Bengal, Dominion of Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh). [5] His parents were Sharfuddin Ansari and Khairunnessa. [6]

Shahabuddin went to Pabna's Purbatan Gandhi School and later was admitted to Radhanagar Majumdar Academy at fourth grade where he passed SSC examination in 1966. [1] He then passed HSC and bachelor's from Govt. Edward College, Pabna in 1968 and 1972 respectively. [7] He then obtained master's in psychology from the University of Rajshahi in 1974, and then LLB from Shahid Aminuddin Law College in 1975. [1]

Career

Shahabuddin was a student leader of the Awami League during the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was the general secretary of the Pabna Edward College unit of the Chhatra League, and president of the Pabna District Chhatra League and Jubo League. He was the Pabna District convenor of the Shadhin Bangla Chhatra Shongram Parishad. [8] He participated in the Liberation War as a freedom fighter. He was the joint secretary of the Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League (BAKSAL) of the district unit and publicity secretary of the Awami League district unit. He was imprisoned after the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975 for three years. [8]

In 1982, Shahabuddin joined as a Munsef (Assistant Judge) of the Judicial cadre in the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS). [8] He was finally promoted to the post of District and Sessions Judge, the highest position of the Bangladesh Judicial Service. He was elected to serve as General Secretary of the Judicial Service Association in 1995 and 1996. [9]

Shahabuddin was appointed by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs to serve as a coordinator in the trial to prosecute the assassins of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He served as Election Commissioner in the 2022 National Council of Bangladesh Awami League. [9]

In February 2023, Shahabuddin resigned from the board of directors of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited after being elected president of Bangladesh, a position he held since 2017. [10]

Presidency

Election

Gazette published by Cabinet Division gnnprjaatntrii baaNlaadesher mhaamaany raassttrptir kaarybhaar grhnn sNkraant gejett.png
Gazette published by Cabinet Division

Shahabuddin was nominated by the Awami League Parliamentary Party as their candidate for President of Bangladesh. [11] On 12 February 2023, he submitted his application to the Chief Election Commissioner and the Presidential Election Officer at the Election Commission for the presidential election, the only candidate to do so. [12] Shahabuddin then held a tête-à-tête with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban. [13] His nomination was welcomed by the opposition Jatiya Party, while the Bangladesh Nationalist Party expressed their disinterest. [14] On 13 February 2023, he was officially elected as the country's 22nd president as he was unopposed. The result was declared by the Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal. [15] [16]

Inauguration

Shahabuddin was sworn in as the 22nd President of Bangladesh in a ceremony at the Bangabhaban on 24 April 2023. [17] Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury administered the oath. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique, Sheikh Rehana, cabinet members, and other guests attended the state ceremony. After the swearing-in ceremony, Shahabuddin and outgoing president Mohammad Abdul Hamid officially switched their seats as part of the ceremony of changing the charge of the office. Shahabuddin and Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury signed the oath documents of the office. [18]

Tenure

In March 2024, Shahabuddin vetoed the Labour Bill 2023 which was passed by the Parliament and sent it for reconsideration. [19]

Resignation of Sheikh Hasina

On 5 August 2024, the Chief of the Army Staff, General Waker-uz-Zaman announced the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following the Non-cooperation movement (2024). [20] [21] The President Shahabuddin addressed the nation in 5th August 2024 and stated that Hasina has resigned. However he later stated that "he had heard Sheikh Hasina resigned from the post of prime minister, but he had no documentary evidence to support this". [22] [23] He immediately started the process of meeting with political leaders from around the country to discuss the formation of an interim government. He also dissolved the parliament. [24] [25] and ordered the release of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia from house arrest. [26] On 6 August, Shahabuddin, as Commander-in-Chief of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, issued a major reshuffle of the Bangladesh Army, which included the demotion or discharging of several Awami League-aligned officers, including Major General Ziaul Ahsan. [27] Nasimul Gani was appointed Secretary of the Public Department of the President's Office. [28]

On 8 August, Shahabuddin swore in Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus as Chief Adviser along with members of his interim government at the Bangabhaban. [29]

On 10 August, following the resignation of Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, President Shahabuddin appointed Syed Refaat Ahmed as Chief Justice. [30]

In October 2024, during a conversation with Manab Zamin's Chief Editor, [31] he stated that

"I tried [to collect the resignation letter] many times but failed. Maybe she did not get the time. When things came under control, one day the cabinet secretary came to collect the copy of the resignation letter. I told him that I too am looking for it," [32]

This triggered a demand for his resignation.

Foreign visits

Personal life

Since November 1972, Shahabuddin is married to Rebecca Sultana, a former joint secretary to the government of Bangladesh. [33] She is currently serving as a faculty member of Primeasia University and the founding chairperson of Friends for Children Organization. [33] Together they have a son, Arshad Adnan, who produced several Bangladeshi films, including the highest-grossing Bangladeshi film Priyotoma (2023). [34] [35]

Legacy

In his honour, a park built by the Pabna Municipality in 2020 was named "Bir Muktijoddha Mohammad Sahabuddin Chuppu Amusement Park". [36]

See also

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References

Footnotes

  1. ↑ His name is mentioned as Bengali: মোঃ সাহাবুদ্দিন in the government gazette and Bangabhaban website. [1]
  2. ↑ Bengali: মোহাম্মদ সাহাবুদ্দিন, romanized: Môhammod Shahabuddin [ˈmoɦɑmmodˈʃɑɦɑbudːin]
  3. ↑ Bengali: চুপ্পু, romanized: Cuppu [ˈtʃuppu]

    Citations

    1. 1 2 3 4 রাষ্ট্রপতির কার্যালয়. bangabhaban.portal.gov.bd (in Bengali). President Office, Bangabhaban. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
    2. ↑ "Mohammad Shahabuddin poised to become the next president of Bangladesh". WION. 12 February 2023. Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
    3. ↑ "Shahabuddin Chuppu takes oath as Bangladesh's 22nd president". Al Jazeera English . 24 April 2023. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
    4. ↑ "AL nominates Shahabuddin Chuppu for country's next President". The Business Standard . 12 February 2023. Archived from the original on 12 February 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
    5. ↑ Arafat, Aditya (13 March 2016). অবসরে থাকছেন বদিউজ্জামান, সুপ্রিম কোর্টে ফিরছেন চুপ্পু [Badiuzzaman to go in retirement, Chuppu to return in Supreme Court]. banglanews24.com (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
    6. ↑ "Profile of Md Shahabuddin Chuppu". Daily Sun. 12 February 2023. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
    7. ↑ Sheikh, Emran Hossain (12 February 2023). "কেন রাষ্ট্রপতি পদে আ.লীগের পছন্দ সাহাবুদ্দিন চুপ্পু?" [Why Shahabuddin Chuppu is favourite of A.League for the post of President?]. Bangla Tribune (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 12 February 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
    8. 1 2 3 "Md Shahabuddin elected 22nd president of Bangladesh". The Business Standard . 13 February 2023. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
    9. 1 2 "Shahabuddin Chuppu becomes president-elect". Dhaka Tribune . 12 February 2023. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
    10. ↑ "President-elect Shahabuddin resigns from Islami Bank's board". The Daily Star. 13 February 2023. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
    11. ↑ "AL nominates Shahabuddin as candidate for Bangladesh president". New Age. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
    12. ↑ "Shahabuddin Chuppu set to become next Bangladesh president". The Hindu . PTI. 12 February 2023. ISSN   0971-751X. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
    13. ↑ "AL-nominated president candidate Shahabuddin calls on PM". Daily Sun . Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha. 12 February 2023. Archived from the original on 14 February 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
    14. ↑ "BNP has no interest, JaPa welcomes next president Shahabuddin". Prothom Alo . 12 February 2023. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
    15. ↑ সংবাদ বিজ্ঞপ্তি (PDF). ecs.gov.bd (in Bengali). Bangladesh Election Commission. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
    16. ↑ "Mohammad Shahabuddin elected 22nd president of Bangladesh". Prothom Alo. Archived from the original on 14 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
    17. ↑ "Shahabuddin Chuppu takes oath as Bangladesh's 22nd president". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
    18. ↑ "Shahabuddin sworn in as the 22nd president". The Daily Star. UNB. 25 April 2023. Archived from the original on 23 August 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
    19. ↑ Ullah, Niamat (4 March 2024). "President returns the Labour Bill 2023 for reconsideration". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 7 March 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
    20. ↑ Gupta, Anant (5 August 2024). "Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigns, army chief says". Washington Post .
    21. ↑ Hasnat, Saif; Martínez, Andrés R. "What We Know About the Ouster of Bangladesh's Leader". The New York Times . Archived from the original on 6 August 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
    22. ↑ "President asks not to create controversy on settled issue". Prothom Alo . 21 October 2024.
    23. ↑ Alam, Julhas; Pathi, Krutika (5 August 2024). "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigns and leaves Bangladesh, ending 15-year rule". Associated Press . Archived from the original on 5 August 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
    24. ↑ "Bangladesh protests updates: Parliament dissolved after Hasina resignation". Aljazeera . 6 August 2024. Archived from the original on 24 August 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
    25. ↑ "Bangladesh parliament to be dissolved, interim govt to be formed soon: President Shahabuddin". United News of India . 6 August 2020.
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    27. ↑ "Reshuffle in top ranks in Bangladesh Army". BSS. 6 August 2024. Archived from the original on 24 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
    28. ↑ "Five retired additional secretaries appointed as secretaries". The Financial Express. Archived from the original on 18 August 2024. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
    29. ↑ "Yunus sworn in as interim Bangladesh leader". BBC News . Archived from the original on 8 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
    30. ↑ "Syed Refaat Ahmed appointed as Chief Justice". The Business Standard . 10 August 2024. Archived from the original on 14 August 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
    31. ↑ "'I have no documentary evidence of Hasina's resignation': President tells Manab Zamin chief editor". The Business Standard . 21 October 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
    32. ↑ "Controversy arises over Hasina's resignation". New Age (Bangladesh) . 22 October 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
    33. 1 2 একনজরে রাষ্ট্রপতি প্রার্থী মোহাম্মদ সাহাবুদ্দিন (in Bengali). RTV. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
    34. ↑ Farhin Antara, Nawaz (12 February 2023). "BNP says it is unconcerned by presidential election". Dhaka Tribune. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
    35. ↑ "Md Sahabuddin to take oath as 22nd president of Bangladesh today". Prothom Alo. Archived from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
    36. ↑ পাবনায় 'মুক্তিযোদ্ধা মোহাম্মদ সাহাবুদ্দিন চুপ্পু বিনোদন পার্ক' উদ্বোধন. Jugantor (in Bengali). 1 July 2020. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
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