We mourn
AT the death of Abdul Matin, popularly known as Bhasha (language) Matin, on Wednesday morning, the curtain has been brought down on a living legend of 1952's Language Movement fame. Instantly protesting the then-governor general of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah's announcement at the Dhaka University in March 1948 that Urdu, not Bangla, would be the state language, he was among the first few students to raise his voice against it. That first spark of protest ultimately turned into a nationwide movement which finally established Bangla's dignity as a state language through the ultimate sacrifices made by a number of Dhaka University students on February 21 of 1952. From then on Abdul Matin's life became inextricably linked to each and every popular struggle that the common people would wage against the authoritarian rule of the Pakistani regimes until Bangladesh won its independence in 1971.
Though widely known as Bhasha Matin, his role in the greater struggles of the peasantry and the working people towards their economic and social emancipation was of no less significance. He played a major role in forming the then East Pakistan Students Union and launching a progressive student movement. Later on he joined the Left political movement.
Born to be a rebel from his early life, he was among the few of our leaders who never compromised with their ideals. So, despite his lack of material success in life, he left behind a rich legacy of honesty and morality in politics.
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