Language movement veteran Mosharraf Hossain Akhunji dies at 90
Language movement veteran Mosharraf Hossain Akhunji has died (Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un). He was 90 years old.
He died at 2:30 pm on Monday (9 November) while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the capital Dhaka. His home was in the Kumarpra area of Rajshahi city.
Family members said he died of old-age complications.
Mosharraf Hossain Akhunji played a leading and active role in Rajshahi in the language movement of 1952. He joined the movement while still a school student.
His contribution to the struggle to protect the dignity of the mother tongue will remain unforgettable in the history of Rajshahi and the nation.
He was born in 1936. He joined the language movement at the age of 16.
He went to educational institutions, student hostels and neighbourhoods in Rajshahi, organising students together with other activists and raising awareness about the demand to make Bangla the state language.
He was also involved in building a Shaheed Minar at Rajshahi College on the night of 21 February 1952.
The memorial, built of brick and earth in honour of the language martyrs, was demolished the next morning by the police and members of the then ruling party, the Muslim League.
He is survived by one son and two daughters, along with countless admirers, relatives and well-wishers.
His eldest son, Shahriar Akhunji, said the process of bringing his father's body from Dhaka to his own residence in the Kumarpra area of the city has already begun.
The body is expected to reach Rajshahi by night. The family will announce the schedule of the janaza and burial later.
