Staff Correspondent: 24 May is the 41st death anniversary of prominent avant-garde of Bengali language movement, veteran freedom fighter, one of the pioneer organizers of the war of Liberation 1971,renowned parliamentarian, and founder of Bangladesh Justice Party(BAJAPA),Late Barrister Syed Kamrul Islam Mohammed Salehuddin.
Barrister Salehuddin was born in Kashiani, Gopalgonj, in the residence of his maternal grandparents. He started his political career as a member of the Communist Party in Undivided India. His father Syed Mohammed Abdul Halim was the Vice-President of All Bengal Muslim Student Association and Grandfather Syed Abdul Karim was associated with the activities of the Congress in Undivided India. He took part in the Language Movement of 1952 and was arrested by the police from possession on 22 February and convicted. Then he passed the Matriculation examination in 1953 from B.M. Institute from prison. He also passed Intermediate examination from P.C. College, Bagerhat from prison and completed his B.A degree from Michael Madhusudan College, Jessore in 1959. In 1963, he went to the United Kingdom to pursue Bar-at-Law from Inner Temple and was selected as QC in 1969 and thus joined in the Queen’s Bench Division in British High Court from where he resumed his professional career as Barrister. He was also a member of the British Civil Service for four and half years.
Involved in politics, Barrister Salehuddin was tested at the Prisonat the age of 13 only. He was elected as Secretary of the Town Youth League in 1952. He played a pivotal role in the Central Committee of the Student Union. He also formed “Pak Youth Federation in UK which occupied the High Commission for Pakistan in London and created a public poll in favor of the non-cooperation movement. He was the founder Chairman of “The Rights of East Pakistan Defense Front” in 1968 and under his prudent guidance, British MP and Queen’s Counselor Sir Thomas William was appointed to provide lawful sustenance to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from Agartala Conspiracy Case.
In order to participate in the liberation movement, he resigned from the British lucrative job, came back to his motherland and was elected Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan (MNA) from Faridpur-2 constituency in 1970 as a candidate from Awami League. Under his leadership, students and inhabitants of greater Faridpur aloof the Flag of Pakistan from DC Office and SP Office and elevated the Flag of Independent Bangladesh in 26th March 1971. On 18th March 1971,he initiated a liberation war in his territory from a manifestation in Boalmari, Faridpur. During the Mujibnagar government, he played a forerunner protagonist by supervising various liberation camps and political coaches. In 1972, he was elected as the Member of the Constituent Assembly (MCA) and acted a very judicious errand in drafting and signing the Bangladesh Constitution.
In the first National Parliament Election of 1973, he was elected as Member of Parliament (MP) from Faridpur-3 constituency as an independent candidate (Now Faridpur-1,Madhukhali-Boalmari-Alfadanga) and therefore joined in Mawlana Bhasani’s National Awami Party (NAP) to play the role of opposition in the parliament. 21/09/1981 he formed the Bangladesh Justice Party (BAJAPA). He was a candid, down-to-the-earth, modest, undaunted, misanthrope personality. 24/05/1983 he took his last breath in the then PG hospital. He is buried in Banani Graveyard.
To preserve his legacy, Barrister Syed Kamrul Islam Mohammed Salehuddin Technical College was established. A book titled “Barrister Salehuddin: Jibon o Rajniti” was published which is a commentary of his versatile life and career. To pay tribute to his death anniversary, several political and societal organizations including Bangladesh Justice Party (BAJAPA) organized various events. Doa-Mahfil has been arranged by Smriti Sangsad of 184 Middle Basaboo after Asar, Shah Syed Habibullah Mazar Masjid of Modhukhali Upazila of Faridpur and Banani Graveyard.
