Signed and sealed: Bangladesh officially recognises Kazi Nazrul Islam as national poet

The interim government delivers on a policy decision made on Dec 5

The government has issued a gazette certifying Kazi Nazrul Islam formally as the national poet of Bangladesh.

There was no written acknowledgement on the recognition earlier even though the nation honoured him as the national poet.

Nazrul Institute’s Executive Director Latiful Islam Shibli told bdnews24.com that the gazette was received on Thursday although it was published on Dec 24.

“This is exciting news. it feels great. This has been a long-standing demand of ours. It’s good to think that finally it is implemented. We express gratitude to everyone who have worked to make this happen,” the poet’s granddaughter Khilkhil Kazi told bdnews24.com

The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus made a policy decision on Dec 5 regarding the recognition of Kazi Nazrul Islam.

However, due to a pending writ petition in the High Court, it was decided in the Advisory Council meeting that the gazette would be published subject to the resolution of the matter.

"The gazette has been published after undergoing the court procedures. I have prioritised working on the matter since taking the charge of the Nazrul Institute,” the Nazrul Institute executive director said.

“The government has implemented the task taking inspiration from the July uprising. This is a good news for all of us,” He added.

On Jun 22, 2022, 10 Supreme Court lawyers, including Deputy Attorney General Md Asad Uddin, filed a writ petition seeking instructions to publish a gazette declaring Nazrul as the national poet of Bangladesh.

The High Court then issued a rule asking why the authorities should not be directed to issue a gazette notification, officially declaring him as a national poet.

The cultural affairs secretary, the director general of the Bangla Academy, and the executive director of the Kabi Nazrul Institute were asked to respond to the rule in four weeks.

Ataur said, "We have already submitted our explanation to the High Court. The ministry had said it should be done.”

"But the court is yet to settle the matter. The gazette will be published once the High Court resolves this.”

Nazrul was born in the village of Churulia in West Bengal’s Bardhaman district on May 24, 1899.

The revolutionary poet was known as ‘Dukhu Mia’ in his childhood after he lost his father and close relatives and battled financial difficulty.

Despite this, he emerged as one of the key figures in Bengali poetry and literature, with many praising his literary works as being enriched with the spirit of equality and humanity.

He later came to be known as the rebel poet for his passionate prose and bold themes.

Nazrul died in Dhaka on Aug 29, 1976. Bangladesh celebrates both his birth and death anniversaries according to the Bengali calendar.