Abul Kashem Fazlul Haq passes away

Essayist, literary critic, researcher, historian and political thinker Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haq is no more. He breathed his last at a hospital in the capital's Mirpur on Sunday afternoon, July 5. He was 85.

Bangla Academy Director General Mohammad Azam confirmed his death, saying he passed away between 2:30 pm and 3:00 pm.

Professor Haq's daughter-in-law, Rajia Rahman, also confirmed his death.

It is learnt that he fell ill suddenly while having lunch at a restaurant in Mirpur. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

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Born on September 30, 1940, in Pakundia upazila of Kishoreganj, Haq completed his secondary education from Mymensingh Zilla School and higher secondary from Ananda Mohan College before enrolling in the Bangla department at Dhaka University. After completing his BA (Honours) in 1965 and MA in 1966 from the same department, he began teaching there. He taught at Dhaka University's Bangla department for nearly four decades and also served as department chairman. He was not only a popular teacher but also earned special respect in the country's intellectual sphere as an independent-minded thinker.

His analytical writings on the state, society, history, literature, culture, politics, philosophy and ethics established him as one of Bangladesh's most important essayists. He believed that dialogue, reason and ethical practice with people were essential for social change. His writings repeatedly emphasised the need to understand people's realities without rejecting their beliefs and culture, and to find paths to change through that understanding. As convener of the State Language Bengali Protection Committee, he also played a significant role in ensuring the use of Bengali at all levels.

He published over 20 books. His notable works include Muktisangram, Kaler Jatrar Dhoni, Ekushey February Andolan, Unish Shataker Madhyashreni O Bangla Sahitya, Rajniti O Darshan, Sahityachinta, Asha-Akankhar Samarthane, Rashtra Chintay Bangladesh, Sanskritir Sahaj Katha, Manusher Swarup, and Shrestha Prabandha. He also translated two important works of Bertrand Russell into Bengali and edited several books on Bangladesh's culture and national thought. For a long time, he edited a literary journal called 'Lokayata' and wrote regular columns for various national dailies.

In his personal life, he faced profound grief when his son, Faisal Arefin Deepan, proprietor of Jagriti Prokashani, was killed by extremists in 2015. Despite this loss, he continued his writing and intellectual pursuits. His daughter, Professor Shuchita Sharmin, currently serves as the Vice-Chancellor of Barishal University.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to Bangla literature, research and intellectual practice, he received the Bangla Academy Award in 1981. He was also honoured with the Bangladesh Lekhak Shibir Award, the Alaul Sahitya Puraskar, and the Alokto Sahitya Puraskar, among several other accolades. He was appointed president of Bangla Academy on October 27, 2024, and served in this role until his final day.

The passing of Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haq has cast a pall of grief over the country's literary, academic and intellectual circles. Writers, professors and people from all walks of life have expressed their condolences to the bereaved family.