Staff Correspondent

A number of politicians, professionals and cultural activists on Monday recalled the contributions of the Sangbad’s editor and freedom-fighter Bazlur Rahman who throughout his life upheld the spirit of secularism in journalism as well as socio-political movements in Bangladesh.

They made these observations at the commemoration meeting organised by the Sammilito Sanskritik Jote at the Central Shaheed Minar in honour of the recently deceased Bazlur Rahman. The Jote’s president, Nasir Uddin Yousuff, chaired the function.

The programmes included discussion on the life and works of Bazlur Rahman, poetry recitation and music. ‘The absence of Bazlur Rahman has left an immense void in the life of his wife and respected political leader Matia Chowdhury, and also in the politics and journalism of the country.

His death is a great loss to the secular and progressive movements in Bangladesh,’ said Yousuff. Awami League’s presidium member Abdur Razzak said, ‘Bazlur Rahman struggled for a Bangladesh free of oppression and repression throughout his entire life.’ AL presidium member Tofail Ahmed said, ‘Bazlur Rahman was a bright star, and a honest, devoted and brave personality in journalism as well as in politics.’

‘Bazlur Rahman was a true patriot and a determined person. He never left his favourite paper, Sangbad, even when it was going through extremely bad times’ said Nurul Islam, Gantantri Party’s president. Workers Party of Bangladesh’s president Rashed Khan Menon said, ‘This undemocratic time in our country made Bazlur Rahman unwell. He felt the pressure exerted on him. The situation made him totally unhappy.’

‘He was a leader of secular, progressive journalism and politics. He was also an initiator of the World Peace Movement,’ said Monzurul Ahsan Khan, president of the Communist Party of Bangladesh. ‘Bazlur Rahman was ever the symbol of trust. He always kept his commitments,’ said Abed Khan, daily Samakal’s editor.

‘Bazlur Rahman was a leader, guardian and teacher of the journalists of our country,’ said Sangbad’s executive editor, Manzurul Ahsan Bulbul.

‘He was recognised as a brave and patriotic person since his university days in the 1960s. He decided not to receive his educational certificate from Monem Khan, the then autocratic ruler and governor,’ said Amir Ul Islam, president of the Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association.

Late Bazlur Rahman’s wife and AL’s presidium member Matia Chowdhury, Liberation War Museum’s trustee Mufidul Hoque and Dhaka University’s Professor Muhammad Samad, Sramik Krishak Samajbadi Dal’s general secretary Nirmal Sen, freedom-fighter and AL leader Shawkat Ali, Bangabandhu Parishad’s general secretary SA Malek, Al’s presidium member Suranjit Sengupta, Dhaka University Teachers Association’s general secretary Anwar Hossain, Ganatantri Party’s leader Azizul Islam Khan, Samyabadi Dal’s general secretary Dilip Barua, Liberation War Museum’s trustee Sarwar Ali, Khelaghar’s president Panna Kaiser, journalist Nasimun Ara Huq, Sammilito Sanskritik Jote’s general secretary Golam Quddus were among those who were present on the occasion.

Asaduzzaman Noor recited poetry while singers Ajit Roy and Fakir Alamgir took part in the musical programme. Nirmal Sen dedicated his latest book — ‘Ma Janmabhumi’ — to Bazlur Rahman and handed over a copy of it to Matia Chowdhury. Bazlur Rahman died at night of cardiac arrest at Ibrahim Memorial Hospital and Cardiac Research Institute on February 26, 2008.

He was only 67 years old. Bazlur started his career as a reporter with the Sangbad in 1961. He also had a brief stint with the daily Ittefaq. Born on August 3, 1941 in Baneshwardi village under Nokla of Sherpur district, he was actively involved in the politics of the Communist Party of Bangladesh and National Awami Party (Mozaffar).

Bazlur was known as a progressive, secular, and a free-thinking journalist. For his journalistic excellence he was awarded the Freedom Fighter Journalists’ Award and Mymensingh Press Club Award. He was well-known for being one of the founders of Khelaghar, a children’s organisation.

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