Former student leaders have mourned the untimely demise of Khandaker Mohammad Farooque, a freedom fighter who played a vital role in the student movement against military strongman HM Ershad’s autocratic rule.
Published : 01 Jul 2014, 11:42 PM
A media statement sent by former DUCSU general secretary Mushtuq Husain and signed by 52 leaders of the 1980s student movement condoled Farooque’s death, saying his loss was inconsolable.
Farooque took part in Bangladesh's Liberation War as a member of ‘Kaderia Bahini’ in 1971.
He was elected to lead the central students’ union (EUCSU) at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) three times.
AN engineer by training, Farooque headed Bangladesh Chhatra Union from 1982 to 1984 before going on to be a leader of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB).
There he dedicated himself to Khetmojur Samiti.
“Farooque’s contributions to the democratic movement in our country are memorable,” the statement said.
“On February 14, 1983, he carried the body of martyred Jainal on his own shoulders to Mohsin Hall in Dhaka University. In 1984 when the military ruler Ershad’s government drove a truck onto a procession, he was gravely injured and fought a long battle with death.”
Farooque continued to serve society through his political, professional and entrepreneurial involvements, the statement said. He also played a role in the Shahbagh movement of 2013.
The student leaders offered their condolences to Farooque’s family and colleagues and expressed hope that his life will be an inspiration for the generations to come.