PM laments Nazrul not given due respect in last two decades

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (23 May) said Kazi Nazrul Islam is an inseparable part of Bangladesh's identity and deplored that the national poet was not given due respect at the national level during the past two decades.

"Bangladesh and Kazi Nazrul Islam are an inseparable entity. He is a true representative of our national identity, a symbol of our national consciousness, and a pioneer of our nationalism," he said.

The prime minister made the remarks while inaugurating the three-day programme marking the 127th birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam in Trishal, Mymensingh.

On the occasion of the poet's birth anniversary, he urged all to take inspiration to remove injustice, inequality, hunger, poverty and division, and to embrace Bangladesh first principle.

Tarique Rahman also greeted the people on the birth anniversary, which will be observed on 25 May, and expressed deep respect to his memory.

He said the government feels proud to resume state-level celebration of Nazrul's birth anniversary in Trishal after nearly two decades.

The prime minister bemoaned that after 2006, such national observance had not been held in Trishal.

"Since 2006, Nazrul Jayanti had not been celebrated at the national level in Trishal, which is closely associated with the immortal memory of the National Poet. After nearly two decades, the government feels proud to once again organise the National Poet's birth anniversary at the state level," he said.

In his speech, Tarique Rahman also recalled police officer Rafiz Ullah, saying he had brought young Nazrul to Trishal's Kazir Shimla village and given him shelter in 1914.

Referring to the respect shown to the national poet by former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, he said ignoring national figures reflects national weakness. 

The prime minister claimed that Ziaur Rahman took part in Nazrul-related programmes, including the poet's funeral procession in 1976 and a rally in 1979 marking his birth anniversary.

He also mentioned that Begum Khaleda Zia founded the National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam University in Trishal.

"This reflects the highest level of respect and honour shown to the National Poet. It proves that showing respect to others does not diminish one's own dignity; rather, modesty elevates a person," Tarique Rahman said.

He also said distancing from such timeless ideals is now reflected in the visible erosion of moral values in society.

Describing Nazrul as a source of inspiration, the Prime Minister said the poet's arrival in the national history was like a "light of hope" for a subjugated nation.

He also said Nazrul's writings reflect the nation's dreams, struggles, literature, culture and heritage.

Tarique Rahman said Nazrul's work covers revolution, resistance, religious harmony, human values, patriotism, and love for humanity, making him a unique figure in Bengali literature.

"His appearance marked a new dawn in Bengali literature and a revolution in literary taste," he said, adding that Nazrul gave voice to freedom and resistance.

The prime minister said the poet was a unique champion of women's rights, the welfare of working people, and universal human values free from communalism. "The great poet remains and will continue to remain alive in the nation's hearts as a symbol of the eternal spirit of Bangladesh's age-old culture."

Tarique Rahman suggested that Trishal, which is closely associated with the poet's childhood memories, could be developed as a "Nazrul City" after a feasibility study.

Earlier, he formally inaugurated the three-day event at the Nazrul Mancha on the grounds of Darirampur Nazrul Academy in Trishal. The programme also includes a Nazrul book fair and rural fair.

Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury chaired the programme.

State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmood Khyom, State Minister for Jute and Textiles Shariful Alam, Cultural Affairs Secretary Kaniz Moula, Mymensingh Zila Parishad Administrator Syed Emran Saleh Prince, Executive Director of Kabi Nazrul Institute Latiful Islam Shibli, chairperson of the institute's trustee board and the poet's granddaughter Khilkhil Kazi, Dhaka University Bangla Department teacher Prof Tariq Manzoor, Mymensingh-7 lawmaker Mahbubur Rahman Liton and Deputy Commissioner Saifur Rahman, among others, spoke at the programme.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister handed over the Nazrul Award and honours to two recipients for their contribution to Nazrul research and literature.

He later launched a commemorative publication and attended a cultural programme in honour of the poet.