Kamal Lohani laid to rest with state honours

Renowned journalist and cultural personality Kamal Lohani was laid to rest with state honours at his family graveyard in Shantala village of Sirajganj's Ullahpara upazila on Saturday night. 

Earlier, the body of Lohani, who died from Covid-19 at the capital's Sheikh Russel Gastro Liver Institute and Hospital around 10am that day, reached his ancestral village around 9:30pm. Local administration and relatives received his body, keeping health guidelines in mind.

Lohani, a Language Movement veteran and freedom fighter, was given a guard of honour in front of the graveyard around 10pm, said Md Arifuzzaman, Ullahpara upazila nirbahi officer.

A namaz-e-janaza was offered by local administration, family members and villagers, following heath guidelines, the UNO said.

Born in Shantala on June 26, 1934, Lohani played a significant role in the Language Movement, when he was a student in Pabna. He also had an impact on socio-political and democratic movements, and the Liberation War. He worked with Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra during the war as news editor. Lohani left a huge mark in journalism and gave power to cultural activists across the country since independence.

The people of Shantala, as well as Sirajganj and Pabna, were deeply shocked by his passing. "The death of Kamal Lohani is a great loss for us. Denying communalism, he practiced secularism his whole life. He will live forever in our hearts," said Sirajganj-4 lawmaker Tanvir Imam.

"Kamal Lohani's death separated him from us physically, but his lessons will always be with us in spirit," said Herok Gun, secretary of Udichi's Sirajganj district branch.

Talking to The Daily Star, Language Movement veteran Ranesh Maitra said he was devastated to have lost his childhood friend.