Leaders from across the political spectrum paid tribute to Marxist-Leninist revolutionary and intellectual Badruddin Umar at a memorial meeting on Friday, recalling his uncompromising political struggle, commitment to organisation, and lifelong role as a mentor to generations of politicians.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Umar was a teacher to countless politicians in Bangladesh. “Those who are in politics today are small compared to Umar Saheb. Because he never compromised. He used to say—‘Organisation, organisation, organisation.’ Revolution is successful only when there is organisation. The main reason for the disappointment that has come today is the lack of organisation. Those who want to change society must strengthen the organisation and stand up to the people,” he said.
The memorial meeting was held at the Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad Auditorium of Bangla Academy, organised to honour Umar, who passed away at the age of 94 on 7 September at a hospital in Dhaka.
Apart from Mirza Fakhrul, the event was attended by Ganosamhati Andolon leader Zonayed Saki, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) leader Ruhin Hossain Prince, Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Democratic Rights Committee member Professor Anu Muhammad, along with Umar’s close friends and well-wishers.
Emeritus Professor of Dhaka University Sirajul Islam Chowdhury described Umar as “unique in many aspects of Bangladesh.”
He said, “Fear and disillusionment could never consume him. He was in struggle all his life, he did not know what fatigue was. We consider him not an extraordinary person, but one of our own. Very few left-wing politicians have understood the culture needed for revolution the way Umar understood it.”
Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna recalled his own experience of learning from Umar, despite their ideological differences. “I was a member of the Chhatra League. Politics was largely devoid of knowledge at that time. Badruddin Umar brought the need for knowledge to politics. After his passing, I realise that he also played a role in my upbringing. Although I do not agree with his political philosophy, I do not disagree with him either.”
Professor Anu Muhammad highlighted Umar’s intellectual contributions, saying, “If you want to study imperialism, you have to go to Badruddin Umar. If you want to understand how revolutionary theory was built, you have to read Umar’s work. If you want to know Bangladesh from 1952 to 1974, he is an indispensable companion. He remained steadfast on the path of truth until his death.”
Speakers emphasised that Badruddin Umar was not only a political thinker but also a political educator for generations. They said his uncompromising life of struggle and his philosophy of organisation-based politics would remain a guide for the new generation.
LND/SAE
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