Ahmed Rafiq passes away

Ahmed Rafiq, a veteran of the Language Movement, passed away tonight in the city due to complications related to old age. He was 96 years old.

He died around 10:12 pm on Thursday at Birdem Hospital after doctors removed his ventilation support, a cultural activist confirmed.Rafiq was admitted to the hospital on September 11.

He had been battling several health issues, including diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic kidney failure, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, electrolyte imbalance, and lung infections, according to medical professionals.

Born on September 12, 1929, in Shahbazpur, Brahmanbaria, Rafiq actively took part in the 1952 Language Movement, collaborating closely with students from various universities and colleges.

In 1954, he was the only student from Dhaka Medical College to have an arrest warrant issued against him.

In 1958, he published his first book, Shilpo Songskriti Jibon (Art, Culture, and Life). Over his lifetime, Rafiq received numerous honors, including the Ekushey Padak, Bangla Academy Award, and Rabindra Sahitya Award, recognizing his significant contributions to literature.