Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury on Monday paid deep tribute to late Bangla Academy President Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haq, calling him a rare enlightened intellectual whose life shaped Bangladesh’s progressive and secular thought.
He made the remarks at Bangla Academy, where writers, academics, cultural activists, officials and students gathered to honour the veteran essayist, researcher and literary critic.
Nitai Roy Chowdhury, who studied under Fazlul Haq at Dhaka University, recalled his former teacher with emotion. He said he still sought guidance from him even after taking public office.
“He spoke about the country, its people and the struggles of the oppressed. Sitting with him felt like resting under a calm banyan tree,” the minister said.
The minister also referred to the 2015 killing of Fazlul Haq’s only son, publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan, by extremists. He said the bereaved father chose not to take revenge.
“He did not demand justice in the usual sense. He said, ‘I have dedicated him to the people and the country.’ Such generosity and enlightenment remain rare,” he added.
The minister announced that the Ministry of Cultural Affairs will take steps to preserve Fazlul Haq’s legacy and ideals.
Bangla Academy Director General Mohammad Azam described Fazlul Haq as one of the country’s leading essayists, thinkers and literary critics. He said the academy will soon organise a national memorial meeting and publish a commemorative volume on his life and work.
“He devoted his life to literary theory, statecraft and society. The best tribute lies in carrying forward his democratic and humanistic values,” Azam said.
After the first funeral prayer at Bangla Academy, mourners took Fazlul Haq’s body to Central Shaheed Minar for public homage. They later brought him to Dhaka University for a second funeral prayer at the Central Mosque.
Authorities plan to lay him to rest at Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals Graveyard in the capital.
