Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the role of Awami League lawmaker and noted film actor Akbar Hossain Pathan, who is popularly known as Farooque, in the Liberation War is unforgettable as he contributed to every struggle and movement with a great fortitude.
“Farooque is a freedom fighter. He had been a vibrant activist of Chhatra League since the Anti-Ayub movement. He had contributed to every struggle and movement with great courage. His role in the six-point movement and the 1971 Liberation War is never forgettable,” she told Parliament.
The premier made the remarks, joining the discussion on a condolence motion placed in the House to express shock at the death of Farooque.
Sheikh Hasina said Farooque was not only a politician, but he had also contributed to the cultural arena. “His death is an irreparable loss to our cultural sector,” she said.
She said the cultural activists had taken the side of Awami League and emboldened the courage of its leaders and activists in every struggle and movement.
When the name of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was being erased after the 1975 incident and none dared to utter his name, the cultural activists came forward, she added.
“He (Farooque) had played a role in the formation of a cultural organisation after the name of Bangabandhu and bringing patriotic songs to the front and revitalising the spirit of the Liberation War at that time. So, he made a contribution to this country,” said the PM.
Earlier, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury moved the condolence motion in the House in the beginning of the 23rd session (Budget Session) of the 11th Parliament.
Parliament on Wednesday unanimously adopted a condolence motion after the discussion over it.
Deputy Leader of the House Matia Chowdhury (Sherpur-2), AL lawmakers Amir Hossain Amu (Jhalokathi-2), Tofail Ahmed (Bhola-1), Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim (Gopalganj-2), Asaduzzaman Noor (Nilphamari-2), Meher Afroze (Gazipur-5) and Habib Hasan (Dhaka-18), deputy opposition leader Ghulam Muhammed Quader, Jatiya Party lawmakers Kazi Firoz Rashid (Dhaka-6) and Anisul Islam Mahmud also joined the discussion.
Akbar Hossain Pathan (Dhaka-17), who died on May 15 last at a hospital in Singapore.
Besides, the House expressed deep shock at the death of former state minister and BNP lawmaker Kabir Hossain, Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder and freedom fighter Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, Oikya NAP president and one of the organisers of the Liberation War Pankaj Bhattacharya, renowned author and novelist Samaresh Majumdar, former caretaker government’s adviser Rokia Afzal Rahman, Education Minister Dipu Moni’s mother Rahima Wadud and eminent singer Kalyani Kazi.
The Parliament also expressed profound grief at the casualties in recent cyclone Mocha and accidents in home and abroad.
A one-minute silence was observed and a munajat offered seeking eternal peace to the departed soul. AL lawmaker Hafiz Ruhul Amin Madani (Mymensingh-7) conducted the munajat.
As per the tradition, the day’s business of Parliament was adjourned after the adoption of the condolence motion over the death of the sitting lawmaker Akbar Hossain Pathan in order to pay respect to him.
