Suhrawardy, Shahid Hussein

This lawyer-politician, who belonged to a prestigious Sufi family of Iraqi origin settled in Midnapore, Bengal, played an important if highly controversial role in Bengal’s politics. His alleged corruption and his links to the Calcutta underworld made him a demonic figure in the eyes of many Bengali Hindus. Yet, he had an enthusiastic following amongst poor Muslims of the province. His exact role in the Great Calcutta Killing is still a subject of controversy (see case study). At a later stage he became Prime Minister of Pakistan, and is considered the spiritual Father of Bangladesh. For instance Mujibur Rahman, the first President of Bengladesh was one of his disciples.