Kolkata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday paid tribute to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on his birth anniversary, recalling his role as a freedom fighter and educationist who stood for communal harmony.

"I pay my heartfelt tributes to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, a symbol of Hindu-Muslim harmony, a great freedom fighter, educationist and former Union Minister, on his birth anniversary," Banerjee posted on X.

হিন্দু-মুসলিম সম্প্রীতির প্রতীক, মহান স্বাধীনতা সংগ্রামী, শিক্ষাবিদ এবং প্রাক্তন কেন্দ্রীয় মন্ত্রী মৌলানা আবুল কালাম আজাদ-এর জন্মবার্ষিকীতে তাঁকে জানাই আমার অন্তরের শ্রদ্ধা।

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) November 11, 2025

Maulana Azad, the country's first education minister, was one of the leading figures of India's freedom struggle and played a key role in shaping the nation's education policy after Independence.

READ MORE: Azra Naqvi uses mobile app to further the cause of Urdu and women writers

His birth anniversary is observed as the 'National Education Day' to honour his contributions to education and nation-building.