Sunday will mark the 21st death anniversary of Nurjahan Murshid, a prominent politician, women’s rights activist, and a key organizer of Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War.
Wreaths will be laid at her grave at the Mirpur Intellectuals’ Graveyard in Dhaka at 11am to honor her legacy.
Born on May 24, 1924, in Taranagar, Murshidabad, India, Nurjahan Murshid emerged as one of the few Muslim women of her time to break barriers in both education and professional life.
She completed her Master’s degree in History from Calcutta University in the mid-1940s, a significant achievement for a Muslim woman during that era.
In 1946, she became the first Muslim woman broadcaster for All India Radio, beginning a career that would span various facets of public service and advocacy.
Nurjahan Murshid’s political journey began in 1954 when she joined politics in then-East Pakistan, now Bangladesh.
She quickly became one of the first women lawmakers in the East Pakistan Legislative Assembly, securing a seat for the United Front.
Her political career was marked by a commitment to the broader issues of her time, often stepping away from the pursuit of power to focus on social justice and the rights of the underprivileged.
She harbored an egalitarian vision, believing that true progress lay in “economic emancipation through class struggle” and critiquing politicians who prioritized personal gain over societal welfare.
Her life was also shaped by the tumultuous events of her youth.
While a student at Victoria Institution in Calcutta, Nurjahan witnessed the rise of sectarian politics and the devastating Hindu-Muslim riots that accompanied the partition of India.
These experiences deepened her resolve to fight for social justice and women’s rights.
Following the partition, she moved to Dhaka, where she continued her advocacy and became a key figure in various democratic movements.
Throughout her life, Nurjahan Murshid played a significant role in championing women’s rights and was an active participant in the democratic movements of the time.
She passed away in Dhaka on September 1, 2003, leaving behind a legacy of courage, advocacy, and a relentless pursuit of equality.
