The 23rd death anniversary of Nurjahan Murshid, a prominent politician, women’s rights activist and key organizer of Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War, was on Tuesday.
Born on May 24, 1924, in Taranagar, Murshidabad, India, Nurjahan Murshid was among the few Muslim women of her time to break barriers in education and professional life.
She earned a master’s degree in history from Calcutta University in the mid-1940s, a significant achievement for a Muslim woman during that period.
In 1946, she became the first Muslim woman broadcaster at All India Radio, beginning a career that would span public service, politics and advocacy.
Her political career began in 1954, when she joined politics in then-East Pakistan, now Bangladesh.
She soon became one of the first women lawmakers in the East Pakistan Legislative Assembly after winning a seat as a United Front candidate.
Her political career was marked by a commitment to broader social issues, often putting social justice and the rights of underprivileged people ahead of the pursuit of political power.
She believed in an egalitarian society and advocated “economic emancipation through class struggle,” while criticizing politicians who prioritized personal gain over the welfare of society.
The tumultuous events of her youth also shaped her political outlook.
While studying at Victoria Institution in Calcutta, Nurjahan witnessed the rise of sectarian politics and the devastating Hindu-Muslim riots surrounding the partition of India.
The experiences strengthened her resolve to work for social justice and women’s rights.
Following partition, she moved to Dhaka, where she continued her advocacy and became involved in various democratic movements.
Throughout her life, Nurjahan Murshid remained a prominent advocate for women’s rights and an active participant in the democratic movements of her time.
She died in Dhaka on September 1, 2003, leaving behind a legacy of courage, advocacy and a relentless pursuit of equality.