The passing of a doyen of politics
Veteran politician Pankaj Bhattacharya, president of Oikya National Awami Party (NAP) and one of the organisers of the country's Liberation War, died early yesterday.
He was 84.
He breathed his last at 12:20am at a hospital in the capital, said a press release of Oikya NAP.
Pankaj was admitted to Health and Hope Hospital on April 17, said Lenin Chowdhury, a doctor at the hospital.
Speaking to The Daily Star, he said Pankaj had been suffering from old-age complications, including breathing issues. He was put on life support after a cardiac arrest on Saturday morning.
His body has been kept in the mortuary of Samorita Hospital in the capital, said Kajal Debnath, a friend of Pankaj and adviser of Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Parishad.
A civic tribute to the veteran politician will be held at the Central Shaheed Minar from 4:00pm to 6:00pm today, said the Oikya NAP press release.
Later in the evening, the body will be cremated following last rites at the capital's Postogola Mahashashan, it added.
Pankaj was born in Noapara village of Chattogram's Raozan in 1939. He had been involved in the democratic political movement since his school days.
He was an active participant inthe country's democratic movements, including the 1952 language movement and the 1969 mass upsurge.
Pankaj served as the executive president of the Chhatra Union from 1963 to 1964 and played an extraordinary role during the 1971 Liberation War, according to the press release.
He also played a key role in the formation of "Tin Joter Ruprekha" -- a 1990 joint declaration of three alliances, led by the AL, BNP, and left-leaning parties, to wage a movement for the restoration of democracy.
Pankaj was involved with different social movements against fundamentalism and communalism, said the press release.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed profound sorrow at his death.
In a condolence message, she prayed for the salvation of his departed soul and conveyed her sympathy to the bereaved family.
In a separate statement, Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader also expressed his sorrow at Pankaj's death.
Main opposition Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader said Pankaj was a patriotic and people-friendly leader. "His demise will create a vacuum in the country's political arena."
Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon, in a condolence message, prayed for the departed soul and conveyed sympathies.
Different politicians as well as socio-cultural bodies also expressed their condolences.
They include Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud; 14-party alliance spokesperson Amir Hossain Amu; Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman; cultural body Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi; rights body Ain O Salish Kendra; Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik; Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust; Workers Party of Bangladesh; Bangladesh Mahila Parishad; Sectors Commanders Forum, Liberation War- '71; Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation; National Awami Party; Institute for Environment and Development; Gonoforum (Montu) and Road Safety Foundation.
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