Renowned Scholar Abul Kasem Fazlul Haque Passes Away

Professor Abul Kasem Fazlul Haque, President of Bangla Academy, eminent scholar, literary critic and former Chairman of the Department of Bangla at the University of Dhaka, has died at the age of 85.

He passed away on Sunday afternoon in Mirpur, Dhaka, bringing to an end a distinguished academic and literary career that spanned several decades. His death is being mourned across Bangladesh’s educational, cultural and literary circles, where he was widely respected for his scholarship, intellectual integrity and lifelong commitment to the promotion of the Bengali language.

The news was confirmed by Professor Mohammad Azam, Director General of Bangla Academy and one of Professor Haque’s former students. Speaking to the media, Professor Azam said the veteran academic had gone to a restaurant in the Mirpur-1 area for lunch between 2:30 pm and 3:00 pm. During the visit, he suddenly felt unwell and was rushed to hospital. According to the information available, he was taken to the National Heart Foundation, where doctors pronounced him dead.

Born on 30 September 1940 in Pakundia village under Pakundia Upazila of Kishoreganj District, Professor Haque devoted much of his life to teaching, research and literary criticism. He spent many years as a faculty member in the Department of Bangla at the University of Dhaka, where he educated generations of students before serving as the department’s chairman. His classroom teaching, research and thoughtful literary analyses earned him recognition as one of Bangladesh’s leading academics in Bengali language and literature.

Professor Haque was also an influential public intellectual whose writings extended well beyond literary criticism. He consistently argued for the wider use of Bengali in education, public administration and other areas of national life, reflecting his belief that language is a fundamental pillar of cultural identity and intellectual development.

His contribution to Bengali literature includes the editing of the literary periodicals Sundaram and Lokayat, alongside the publication of more than twenty books covering literature, politics, philosophy and culture. Among his notable works are Ekushey February Andolon, Rajniti Darshan, Sahitya Chinta and Sanskritir Shohoj Kotha. He also edited several important volumes, including Bangladesher Sanskriti Itihasher Aloke (Bangladesh’s Culture in the Light of History) and Swadesh Chinta, which have been recognised as valuable contributions to the country’s intellectual and cultural discourse.

In recognition of his outstanding literary and scholarly achievements, Professor Haque received the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1981. He later assumed the role of President of Bangla Academy, one of Bangladesh’s foremost literary institutions, where he continued to support research, literary activities and the development of the Bengali language.

Professor Abul Kasem Fazlul Haque leaves behind an enduring legacy of scholarship, teaching and literary excellence. Through his books, essays, editorial work and decades of service in higher education, he helped shape intellectual discussions on language, literature, culture and national identity. His contributions are expected to remain an important part of Bangladesh’s academic and literary heritage for generations to come.