State failed to accord due respect to him

Language movement hero Abdul Matin, who had also fought in the 1971 Liberation War, was not accorded due respect by the state, speakers told a national commemorative meeting on him yesterday.

Speaking at the meeting Abdul Matin Swaran Jatiya Committee organised in the capital's Central Shaheed Minar premises, they also called upon leaders and activists of left-leaning political parties to follow the ethics and ideals maintained by Matin throughout his life as many deviate from the spirit of communism.

Matin, popularly known as “Bhasha” (language) Matin, died of old age complexities at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University on October 8.

He was among the first few students to protest the announcement of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the then governor general of Pakistan, during a special convocation at Dhaka University on March 24, 1948 that Urdu, not Bangla, would be the state language.

This spark of protest ultimately turned into a nationwide movement, helping to establish Bangla as a state language.

Professor Emeritus Serajul Islam Choudhury said language has become a part of Matin's name.

Stating that farmers were the main force of the Liberation War, he said, “Matin took part in the Liberation War with farmers. If anyone wants to write the proper history of Bangladesh, his name will be there.”

He could have been a bureaucrat, a high profile lawyer or a renowned politician but he did not choose those paths. He rather dedicated his life for the welfare of farmers and took part in their movements which reveals his true character, said Serajul Islam.

“Farmers' role did never get recognition in the country's political movements and that is why we do not see emancipation in our national life,” he said, adding that for the same reason the state did not give Matin the proper recognition.

Member secretary of National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power, and Ports Prof Anu Mohammad said Matin would remain as an inspirational figure.