The Trailblazer's Life

Abdul Matin was one of the key organizing leaders of the historic language movement of 1952 to make Bengali one of the state languages of Pakistan. It was the student leader Matin who led the procession to break section 144 during the movement. He was also a notable personality of the communist movement in Bangladesh. As a language activist, Matin authored several books on the language movement and Bangladesh's political history. Recently on October 8 this venerated personality breathed his last. We remember his contribution to the nation with deep respect and gratitude.

Abdul Matin was born in  December 3, 1926 in a village called Dhubalia of Shirajganj district
He was from a well off agricultural family but lost most of their land due to the erosion of Jamuna River
As a result Matin moved to Darjeeling to earn a livelihood
Besides working in the Jalapahar cantonment of Darjeeling, Matin continued his study and passed entrance in 1943

Abdul Matin

In 1945 Matin was selected for the commissioned rank of the then British Indian Army and went to Bangalore for training
But as the war ended Matin lost his commission and returned home
Then Matin took admission to the University of Dhaka as a student of the Bachelor of Arts
Later Matin completed his masters from the department of International Relations

In 1952 Matin became the convener of the Dhaka University  State Language Action Committee and led the language movement
For his contribution to the language movement he was hailed as Bhasha Matin
After the language movement Matin got involved with the communist party and became its president of Pabna district
In 1957 Matin joined Maolana Bhashani's party NAP

Matin was deeply involved in the creation of most of the mainstay pro-China communist parties in Bangladesh
He also authored several books on the language movement and his memoirs which were highly acclaimed
Matin was honoured with Ekushey Padak on 2001 which is the highest national civilian award of Bangladesh
After prolonged illness Matin breathed his last on October 8 2014