Ekushey Padak-winning eminent language movement veteran Ahmad Rafiq passed away in the capital’s BIRDEM Hospital on Thursday at 10:12 pm. He was 96.
His special assistant Md Russel confirmed the news, saying Rafiq breathed his last at 10:12 pm. Hospital authorities said he had been on life support and suffered a cardiac arrest before his death.
The veteran intellectual was admitted to BIRDEM’s Intensive Care Unit on Wednesday after his condition deteriorated. Doctors said he had been battling kidney complications and suffered several mild strokes in recent months.
Earlier on September 11, he was discharged from LabAid Hospital and later admitted to Health and Hope Hospital in Panthapath. Due to the lack of required facilities there, he was transferred to BIRDEM on Sunday.
According to writer Ehasan Mahmud, Rafiq’s body will be taken to the Central Shaheed Minar at 11 am on Saturday, October 4, to allow the public to pay their last respects. Later, his body will be donated to BIRDEM Medical College.
Born in Brahmanbaria in 1929, Ahmad Rafiq played an active role in the historic 1952 Language Movement as a young student. He was among those who took part in protests and mobilisations demanding Bangla’s recognition as a state language of Pakistan.
His lifelong commitment to the spirit of the Language Movement was reflected in his writings and cultural activism.
Ahmad Rafiq went on to dedicate his life to writing, research and cultural activities. A Rabindranath Tagore scholar of high repute, he authored and edited more than a hundred books.
He received both the Ekushey Padak and the Bangla Academy Literary Award for his contributions. The Tagore Research Institute in Kolkata honoured him with the title Rabindra-Tottwacharjo in recognition of his pioneering role in Rabindra studies across Bangladesh and West Bengal.
Following the death of his wife in 2006, Ahmad Rafiq lived alone in a rented apartment in New Eskaton. He had no children. Despite his vast personal collection of books, he left behind no significant assets.