Leadership qualities were evident from the very beginning

Writing about Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir brings back vivid memories of the golden days of student politics. I first came to know Fakhrul during my days in student politics at Dhaka University when he was a highly active and progressive leading activist of the then East Pakistan Students Union. Alongside coming from a rich political family background, Fakhrul was regarded by us from the very beginning as a highly progressive and promising activist because of his own intellect and ideals. He established himself through his dedication, wisdom and political ideals. We saw him as a highly dynamic and principled political activist. All the qualities of leadership were evident in him from the very beginning.

During the historic mass uprising of 1969, we joined the movement while holding central and various levels of responsibilities in the Students Union, Menon Group. At that time, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, a student of the Department of Economics at Dhaka University, played a very courageous role. Fakhrul and his entire batch fought shoulder to shoulder with us against the authoritarian Ayub Khan regime. Fakhrul’s batch was highly talented and politically conscious. Among them, I clearly remember the names of Dhaka University Professor Dr. Ahmed Kamal, economist Professor Dr. Nurul Amin and former Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Salehuddin.

During the 11 Point Movement of 1969, when we were conducting a public outreach campaign in northern Bangladesh through the All Party Students Action Council, I saw the positive role played by Fakhrul’s family. Fakhrul’s entire family had a reputation for standing beside ordinary working people and supporting progressive politics. I also became acquainted with Fakhrul’s younger sister, brother in law and other family members. They all possessed deep human qualities. This humane and people oriented family environment played a major role in shaping Fakhrul’s worldview.

One incident from the Students Union remains particularly vivid in my memory. In 1968 during Ayub Khan’s rule, we were organizing a cultural program at the Bangla Academy under the initiative of the Students Union. It was probably being held to celebrate Rabindra Jayanti or Pahela Baishakh. Everything for the program had been completed from selecting the venue to printing the invitations. But just one day before the event was scheduled to begin, the Bangla Academy authorities suddenly canceled permission under pressure from the authoritarian Ayub Khan government.

In protest against such a reactionary and unjust decision by the government, we activists of the Students Union erupted in protest. Haider Anwar Khan Juno led that protest procession and Fakhrul was also highly active. As a result, the police administration at the time issued warrants and arrest orders against several of our activists including Juno Bhai and Fakhrul in an attempt to suppress the movement.

But we did not surrender to the government’s repression. Through the determined and courageous actions of Students Union activists, an alternative plan was made overnight and the following day the entire event was organized in a grand manner at Ramna Botomul. Although police maintained tight security around the area and pursued Fakhrul and others to arrest them, they could not arrest anyone that day.

At the event, the renowned dance drama titled Jolchhe Agun Khete O Khamare, directed by Kamal Lohani Bhai and performed by the cultural organization Kranti, greatly inspired everyone present. During those difficult days, the fearless participation of activists like Fakhrul in the politics of Dhaka University Students Union enriched the history of student politics in Bangladesh. At that time, I was serving as an assistant secretary of the central committee of the East Pakistan Students Union, Menon Group, and I always saw Fakhrul at the forefront of every progressive initiative.

After student politics, I entered professional life. Many of my comrades had chosen professional politics. Fakhrul also chose teaching as his profession after student politics. However, he returned to politics at one point. I did not return. Although I did not see him in the political arena after our student politics days, we would occasionally meet at different events. Fakhrul would approach me politely and talk to me.

The last time we met was in 2024 when Haider Akbar Khan Rono Bhai was being given a final tribute at the Central Shaheed Minar. Fakhrul had come on behalf of his party to pay tribute to Rono Bhai. Even that day, amid the crowd, Fakhrul did not forget to exchange greetings with me from a distance.

During the Awami League’s rule, we saw Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as a skilled organizer in grassroots politics. He was not given to compromise. As a result, he had to endure many hardships. He had to spend time in jail and suffer greatly. Throughout the ups and downs of his long and struggle filled political career, Fakhrul played a role in uncompromising leadership. There were times when he stood on the streets with only a few activists but he did not abandon his position. Today, his party is in power. However, I do not support that political party or its ideology.

The presidency is extremely important. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is taking office as the president of the country. This is certainly positive for the country. I hope that he will not limit his responsibilities to simply reading the prescribed speeches written by the government like traditional presidents.

However, there is room for discussion about how much relief has returned to people’s lives. A government elected after only a few months in office may not be assessed definitively. Even so, various crises are visible regarding the economic security of working people, ordinary farmers, workers in the garment and other sectors and small business owners. Some of these problems would not have been very difficult to address at this time.

In addition, in the field of international relations, people had expected positive decisions regarding the unfinished Ganges water sharing agreement with India, unresolved border issues, the Rampal power project agreement that threatens the Sundarbans and various unequal agreements against national interests signed with the United States during the interim government. Those expectations have not been fulfilled. More attention was needed in critically important areas such as the Human Rights Commission, the Judicial Commission, the Women’s Commission and the Education Commission.

In this political and administrative situation, the presidency is extremely important. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is taking office as the president of the country. This is certainly positive for the country. I hope that he will not limit his responsibilities to simply reading the prescribed speeches written by the government like traditional presidents. His political foresight, deep political wisdom and progressive outlook from his student politics days will help him become a successful president. His appointment as president as an intelligent and people friendly politician will help make the country’s foreign policy more dignified and independent. I hope he will play an effective role in finding respectful solutions to unfinished discussions including various agreements with the United States and India that are against national interests.

Finally, I would say that Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will not allow the repetition of the wrong policies of the previous Awami League government or any reactionary group. He will rise above all parties and political views to become an acceptable figure who will play the role of a forward looking and visionary guardian in correcting government policies and carrying out people oriented reforms. I wish him a bright political future and overall well being.

The author is one of the signatories of the 11 Point Movement and former assistant secretary of the Students Union, Menon Group.