Bangla Academy President, renowned educationist, literary critic and essayist Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque is no more. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun.
He breathed his last in Mirpur in the capital on Sunday (July 5) afternoon. He was 85 years old at the time of his death.
Bangla Academy Director General and his former student Mohammad Azam confirmed the death of Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque. He said that he fell ill while eating at a restaurant in Mirpur-1 area on Sunday afternoon. He was later rushed to the hospital where the doctor declared him dead. It was initially reported that he died of heart disease.
Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque was born on September 30, 1940, in Pakundia village, Pakundia upazila, Kishoreganj. During his long teaching career, he taught in the Bangla Department of Dhaka University and also served as the Departmental Chairman. In 2024, he took over as the President of Bangla Academy.
His research and writings on Bengali language, literature, culture and social thought have made an important contribution to Bengali knowledge. He has published more than two decades of books on language movement, politics, literary criticism and culture. Notable books include Ekushey February Movement, Political Philosophy, Literary Thought and Simple Words of Culture. He also edited the periodicals ‘Sundaram’ and ‘Lokayat’ and has edited several important books including Bangladesh’s culture and patriotism in the light of history.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Bengali language and literary practice, he received the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1981. His death has cast a shadow of deep sorrow over the country’s educational, literary and cultural arenas.