Nation mourns

President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and different politicians and organisations have expressed their condolences at the death of Language Movement hero Abdul Matin.

Matin, 88, breathed his last at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) yesterday morning.

Hamid, who is currently in Saudi Arabia, in his message said the nation has lost a legend of the Language Movement.

In a similar message, Sheikh Hasina termed Matin's demise “the end of a living history.”

“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,” she added.  

Both the president and prime minister prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and expressed their sincere sympathies to the bereaved family.

Health Minister Mohammad Nasim, Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain, Land Minister Shamsur Rahman Sharif, and State Minister for Land Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed also expressed their condolences.

Meanwhile, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, in a press note, said the nation lost a real guardian.

“It is because of his uncompromising leadership in 1952 that the very ground of the rulers was shaken and our mother language gained the status of state language,” read the statement.

Senior Jatiya Party Presidium Member and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Raushan Ershad and BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also issued statements to express their sympathies to the bereaved family.

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Mia, and Chief Whip ASM Feroz condoled Matin's passing away.

Rights organisations Ain o Salish Kendra and Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust; leftist political parties Workers Party of Bangladesh, Gano Sanghati Andolon, and Bangladesh Juba Moitree; citizens' organisations Amra Muktijoddhar Shantan, and Obhibhabak Oikyo Forum; and Online Journalist Association of Bangladesh also conveyed messages of condolence stating that Matin's passing has created a void.

Dhaka University Vice Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique also offered his sympathies to the bereaved family.