Politicians, academics and professionals on Friday said that the death of political thinker and author Badruddin Umar was an irreparable loss to the country, particularly in the spheres of politics and academic writings.
At a condolence meeting, they also called on young politicians and writers to uphold Umar鈥檚 ideals and strive to complete his unfinished mission of creating a society free from oppression and repression.
Badruddin Umar Shok Sava Udjapan Jatiya Committee (committee to observe Badruddin Umar鈥檚 condolence meeting) organised the programme at the Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad Auditorium at Bangla Academy with Jatiya Mukti Council secretary Faiezul Hakim in chair.
Jatiya Mukti Council president Badruddin Umar died on September 7 at a city hospital at the age of 93.
Dhaka University professor emeritus Serajul Islam Choudhury said that Badruddin Umar was an unparalleled intellectual who never compromised and was particularly revered for his outspokenness.聽
Calling on the youths to follow Umar鈥檚 ideals to complete his unfinished work, Serajul Islam said he aspired to establish a society free from oppression.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakrul Islam Alamgir paid his respects to the deceased intellectual, saying that he was a truly brave and uncompromising politician.
鈥榃e should follow his ideals for overcoming the current political crisis and moving towards a democratic transition,鈥� he said.
Former Dhaka University professor and economist Mahbub Ullah said that Umar formed a left political party to take his ideals and cause forward.
Former Jahangirnagar University professor and central leader of the Democratic Rights Committee, Anu Muhammad, said that Umar founded Bangladesh Lekhak Shibir (Bangladesh writers鈥� camp) and published the monthly magazine Sangskriti as he realised the urgency of cultural movements to take political movements forward.
In death, Badruddin Umar would be even more influential than he was in life, through his writings, he said.
Nagarik Oikya president Mahmudur Rahman Manna said that Umar understood聽 the anti-discrimination movements led by students and people would succeed and bring end to the fascist rule of the Awami League.
Farmer leader Sajib Roy said that Badruddin left teaching job at Rajshahi University to join politics and organise labour and peasant movements.
Journalist Abu Sayeed Khan, former left student leader Deepa Datta, Mushtuq Husain, politician Zonayed Saki, Rashed Khan, among others, spoke at the condolence meeting, attended by family members and a good number of admirers of the late politician.聽
The condolence meeting started with the rendering of Communist International.
A documentary on Umar鈥檚 life was also screened at the programme.
