Professor Abul Kasem Fazlul Haque, a prominent Bangladeshi scholar, writer, and public intellectual, has passed away. Known for his humility and intellectual rigor, he was deeply engaged in social and political thought, emphasizing the responsibilities of intellectuals toward society. Throughout his career, he inspired students and readers to think critically about the state, society, and human rights. His writings, including nearly thirty books such as 'Bangladesher Prabandha Sahitya' and 'Rastrochintay Bangladesh,' reflected his lifelong commitment to literature, culture, and human liberation.
Haque served as president of the Swadesh Chinta Sangha, an organization founded by Dr. Ahmad Sharif to promote progressive and rational thought. His ideas were shaped by Marxist and socialist influences, and he consistently opposed imperialism and neocolonialism. He was a vocal critic of Western military presence in the Middle East and advocated for global movements against such dominance. His intellectual stance combined nationalism, humanism, and rationalism.
In his later years, Haque proposed a 28-point plan for Bangladesh’s liberation and development, focusing on democracy, secularism, and the upliftment of working people. His death marks the loss of a steadfast voice for justice and free thought in Bangladesh.