Eminent academic, essayist, literary critic and President of Bangla Academy, Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haq, passed away on Sunday afternoon after suffering a cardiac arrest in the capital’s Mirpur area. He was 85.
The death of one of Bangladesh’s most respected intellectuals has prompted an outpouring of grief from academics, writers, cultural figures and public organizations, who have paid tribute to his lifelong commitment to the Bengali language, literature and intellectual life.
Bangla Academy Director General Professor Mohammad Azam confirmed the news of his death. According to him, Professor Haq had gone to a restaurant in Mirpur-1 between 2:30 pm and 3:00 pm when he suddenly fell ill. He was immediately taken to the National Heart Foundation Hospital, where physicians declared him dead.
Professor Haq had been serving as President of Bangla Academy since October 2024, following his appointment to lead the country’s premier literary and cultural institution. During his tenure, he emphasized strengthening research, protecting the Bengali language, and expanding intellectual engagement through the Academy’s activities.
Personal tragedy
Professor Haq’s personal life was marked by profound tragedy. His son, publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan, owner of Jagriti Prokashoni, was murdered in 2015 by Islamist militants in Dhaka, an incident that deeply shocked Bangladesh’s literary community.
Despite the personal loss, Professor Haq continued his academic and literary work with remarkable resilience, remaining actively engaged in writing, research and public discourse.
A lifetime devoted to scholarship
Born on September 30, 1940, in Pakundia village under Pakundia Upazila of Kishoreganj district, Abul Kashem Fazlul Haq emerged as one of Bangladesh’s foremost literary scholars and public intellectuals.
After completing his higher education at the University of Dhaka, he joined its Department of Bengali, where he spent more than four decades teaching generations of students. He later served as Chairman of the department and earned widespread recognition as a teacher whose lectures combined literary criticism, philosophy, history and social analysis.
Beyond the classroom, Professor Haq became one of the country’s most influential essayists, consistently engaging with issues of language, nationalism, democracy, culture and social transformation. His writings reflected a rare ability to connect literature with contemporary political and social realities, making his work widely respected across Bangladesh’s intellectual community.
Champion of the Bengali language
Professor Haq played a pioneering role in campaigns promoting the use of Bengali at every level of state administration, education and public life.
He served as convener of the State Language Bengali Protection Committee, advocating the wider implementation of Bangla in government institutions and public communication. Throughout his career, he argued that language is not merely a medium of communication but a central pillar of national identity, cultural confidence and democratic participation.
His advocacy extended well beyond academic debates, influencing public discourse on language policy and cultural identity.
Influential publications
Professor Haq authored and edited more than 20 important books covering literature, politics, philosophy, history and culture.
Among his best-known works are:
- Ekushey February Andolan
- Rajniti Dorshon (Political Philosophy)
- Sahitya Chinta (Literary Thoughts)
- Sanskriter Shohoj Kotha
He also edited several important research volumes, including:
- Itihasher Aloke Bangladesher Sanskriti
- Swadeshchinta
His essays became standard reference materials for students, researchers and readers interested in Bengali intellectual history and literary criticism.
Editor and intellectual leader
Professor Haq also made lasting contributions through literary publishing.
He edited the respected quarterly journals Sundaram and Lokayata, both of which became important platforms for progressive scholarship, literary criticism and cultural debate in Bangladesh.
These publications introduced new generations of readers to critical discussions on literature, society, philosophy and national identity while encouraging independent intellectual inquiry.
Recognition for literary excellence
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to Bengali essay literature and literary criticism, Professor Haq received the prestigious Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1981.
Over the decades, he established himself as one of Bangladesh’s leading essayists and literary thinkers, earning admiration from scholars across ideological and academic traditions.
Tributes pour in
News of Professor Haq’s death has triggered widespread mourning across Bangladesh’s educational and cultural sectors.
Universities, literary organizations, writers’ associations and cultural institutions have expressed deep sorrow, describing his death as an irreparable loss to the country’s intellectual heritage. Colleagues and former students remembered him as a dedicated teacher, fearless thinker and generous mentor whose influence extended far beyond the university classroom.
Various social, political and cultural organizations also conveyed condolences to his bereaved family, praying for the eternal peace of his soul and expressing sympathy to his loved ones.
