BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday said National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam was an inspiration behind all major movements in Bangladesh from the country’s independence war to the 2024 mass uprising.
“From our independence war to our democratic movements of the 1990s and the mass uprising of July 2024, young people, teenagers and children who took to the streets and helped uproot brutal authoritarianism and end misrule did so while singing Nazrul’s songs. Nazrul gave them a great strength,” he said.
Rizvi made the remarks after paying tribute to Kazi Nazrul Islam at the poet’s grave on the Dhaka University campus in the morning, marking the 50th death anniversary of the National Poet.
“Kazi Nazrul Islam is our National Poet. Even today, when anyone conspires or plots against this country, tries to weaken our sovereignty or seeks to jeopardise our independence, the fire of rebellion that rises against them has its main source in Kazi Nazrul Islam, his songs, poems, novels and writings,” he said.
He described Nazrul as a poet who brought an end to an era and ushered in another.
“Not only did Kazi Nazrul Islam stand against social injustice and inequality, he also ignored the threats of the colonial power sitting within the state machinery and sounded the first notes of independence in this subcontinent. He spread new messages and the message of revolution,” he said.
Rizvi said Nazrul’s works continue to inspire people whenever they face oppression, persecution and tyranny or when despair spreads around them.
“When we are still subjected to oppression, persecution and torture, when we see despair all around us and fascism spreading across the sky of our country, Kazi Nazrul Islam and his poems and songs have taught us to protest and inspired us,” he said.
“No matter how great the chain or shackles are, no matter how severe the sword of oppression may be, Kazi Nazrul Islam is our principal source of inspiration and driving force to uproot that sword, break the chains, take to the streets, remove injustice and establish justice,” he added.
Rizvi said people continue to move forward carrying Nazrul’s writings, literary works and messages in their hearts.
“Even today, we walk the path carrying Nazrul’s writings, literary works and message in our hearts. They make us fearless and give us courage to move forward. Nazrul is one of our sources of strength in protesting against injustice,” he said.
National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam breathed his last at Bangladesh Medical University Hospital on August 27, 1976.
He was buried beside the Central Mosque of Dhaka University with state honours.
Thursday marks the 50th death anniversary of Kazi Nazrul Islam, the celebrated poet of rebellion and an exceptional literary talent.
On the occasion, people from different walks of life thronged the poet’s grave on the Dhaka University campus to pay tribute to him on the 12th day of Bhadra, in the Bengali calendar, the day when the poet breathed his last.
Leaders and activists of different political parties, along with the Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor, teachers, students and people from all sections of society, placed floral wreaths at his grave and paid their respects.