Former MP and Freedom Fighter Mosharraf Hossain Passes Away

Veteran politician, former Member of Parliament, and a key organiser of the Bangladesh Liberation War, Mosharraf Hossain, has passed away at the age of 78. He breathed his last at 1:25 am on Saturday, 20 June, while undergoing treatment at Labaid Hospital in the capital city of Dhaka. He had been suffering from various chronic illnesses for a prolonged period. He is survived by his wife, three sons, two daughters, and a large circle of relatives and well-wishers.

According to family and local sources, his funeral prayer (Namaz-e-Janaza) is scheduled to be held today, Sunday, following the Asr prayer at the Alexander Pilot High School ground in the Ramgati Upazila of Lakshmipur district. Following the prayers, he will be laid to rest in his family graveyard.

A Distinguished Political and Wartime Career

Mosharraf Hossain possessed a long and distinguished political career, spanning over several decades. During his student life, he was an active student leader and served as the Vice President (VP) of the Shahidullah Hall Student Union at the University of Dhaka.

During the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, he played a critical role as an organiser and commander. He served as the Noakhali and Hatiya Zonal Commander of the Bangladesh Liberation Force (BLF), which was also widely known as the Joy Bangla Bahini.

In the post-independence era, he transitioned into national politics. In the fourth national parliamentary election held in 1988, he contested as a candidate for the Combined Opposition Party and was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Lakshmipur-4 constituency. Decades later, he contested the parliamentary seat for the same Lakshmipur-4 (Ramgati-Kamalnagar) constituency during the national general election held in January 2024.

The key milestones of his life and career are summarised in the table below:

Tributes and Condolences Pour In

Following the announcement of his demise, deep grief and condolences have been expressed by a wide spectrum of political leaders, social figures, and local organisations.

The current Member of Parliament for the Lakshmipur-4 constituency and Government Whip of the National Parliament, A B M Ashraf Uddin Nizan, expressed profound shock and extended his deepest sympathies to the bereaved family.

Further condolences were offered by prominent political figures, including Major (Retd) Abdul Mannan, Secretary General of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh and former minister; Abdullah Al Mamun, former MP; and Hero Freedom Fighter Abul Barakat Dulal, former Chairman of the Kamalnagar Upazila Parishad.

Religious and regional political leaders also paid their tributes, including Maulana Khaled Saifullah, Central Adviser of Islami Andolan Bangladesh and former Upazila Chairman; Dr Jamal Uddin, President of Ramgati Upazila BNP; Nurul Huda Chowdhury, President of Kamalnagar Upazila BNP; and M Didar Hossain, General Secretary of Kamalnagar Upazila BNP.

Representing the media fraternity, M A Majid and Musa Kalimullah, the President and General Secretary of the Kamalnagar Press Club respectively, expressed their sorrow. Additionally, formal statements of condolence were issued by the National Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), the Socialist Party of Bangladesh (BASD), and various other socio-cultural and political organisations, all acknowledging his lifelong dedication to the nation.