Zaglul had rare ability of being impartial

Throughout his long career in journalism, Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury had always maintained impartiality in political matters in his behaviour and works, which is rare these days, speakers told a memorial meeting yesterday.

Zaglul, former chief of state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, died from injuries he suffered while alighting from a badly-driven bus in the capital on November 29. Habiganj Association, Dhaka arranged the meeting and a doa mahfil for him at Jatiya Press Club.

Professor Emeritus Anisuzzaman said few people in Bangladesh could explain international affairs, especially the political situation of South Asia, like Zaglul. He was an expert at this, he said.

Zaglul never reproached anyone, but rather praised his critics, Anisuzzaman said.

Journalist and freedom fighter Saleh Chowdhury said the actual name of Zaglul was Saleh Uddin Chowdhuary, but he changed his name "in honour of me", ignoring all hassles.

He quoted Zaglul as saying, “We both hail from the same district, and you (Saleh) may feel embarrassed, so I have changed my name.”

Editor of the Manabzamin Matiur Rahman Chowdhury said Zaglul was an honest, impartial and learned journalist without any political stripe.

He was an advocate of a non-communal and democratic Bangladesh where there will be rule of law and people will live in dignity, said Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, media adviser to the prime minister.

Antara Ahmad Chowdhury, daughter of Zaglul, said her father always tried to help out the general people, the poor, and orphans. "He taught us that content comes from giving, not taking."

Freedom fighter and the association's President CM Dilwar Rana chaired the meeting, while Jatiya Press Club General Secretary Syed Abdal Ahmed also spoke.