Language movement hero Matin passes away

Abdul Matin

Language movement veteran Abdul Matin died this morning at the age of 88 after suffering a prolonged illness.

Matin breathed his last at the intensive care unit (ICU) of at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) hospital around 9:00am, Gulbadan Nesa Monika, his wife, told The Daily Star.

The language hero, who had been undergoing treatment at the ICU since August 19, was on life support after his condition deteriorated on October 3.

Matin, suffered a stroke on August 18 and then had to undergo a surgery at the BSMMU. He was unconscious since then.

Matin had an open-heart surgery in 1997. He has some neurological problems as well.

Abdul Matin, who is popularly known as Bhasha Matin, played a significant role in Language Movement of 1952. Dhaka University in 2008 conferred an honorary doctor of law degree on him for his role in the movement.

Tomorrow, Matin's body will be kept at Central Shaheed Minar at noon so that people can pay their tribute to him.

Later, the family members will hand over his body to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital as he had denoted his body to the hospital, the wife said.

CONDOLENCE

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed deep shock at the demise of Matin, UNB reports.

In a condolence message, the prime minister said the first step for the independence of the country was taken through the great Language Movement.

“Abdul Matin was one of the fighters of that historic movement. His death is the end of a living history,” she said.

She prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and expressed her sincere sympathy to the bereaved family.