A most controversial and misunderstood personality in the socio-cultural arena of our time was Dr. Ahmed Sharif, who was a renowned scholar, researcher of Bengali literature and a forerunner of free thought movements in Bangladesh. A man with a deep sense of dignity who was a true non-conformist and an atheist, a former Chairman and Professor of the Bengali Department, University of Dhaka, who died last year on February 24, 1999. The colorful life of Dr. Ahmed Sharif can be divided into two broad lines, one is his literary and intellectual side and another one is his socio-cultural and philosophical side. Before describing these two sides, I am tempted to give a very brief life sketch of Dr. Sharif.
Dr. Ahmed Sharif who came from Patiya, Chittagong, did his Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Bengali literature from the University of Dhaka, in the year of 1944 and 1967 respectively. From 1945 to 1949, he taught at Laksham Nawab Faizunnessa College and later on at Feni College. From July 1949 to 17 December 1950 he worked as Program Assistant at the Dhaka Centre of the Radio Pakistan. Finally, on December 18, 1950 he joined as Research Assistant in the Bengali Department, University of Dhaka and retired as Chairman and Professor in 1983. During his teaching life in the University he was elected a member of the senate, Syndicate, President, Teachers Association and the University Teachers Club and even today, Dr. Sharif is the only person who was elected the Dean of the Faculty of Arts for three consecutive terms. After his retirement from the Dhaka University, he was offered to join as first “Kazi Nazrul Islam Professor” at the University of Chittagong, where he served for two years from 1984 to 1986.
He was the recipient of many honors and awards for his outstanding contributions in the field of medieval Bengali literature and contemporary socio-cultural-political essays, the Bangla Academy Literary Award (1968), Daud Literary Award (from Pakistan: – 1969), Bangladesh Women Writers Association Literary Award (1980), Alakta Literary Council Award (1989) and the Ekushe Padak (Martyr Day Medal) in 1991. A major recognition came from the Rabindra Bharati University, India, which conferred upon him the Doctor of Literature in 1995 for his outstanding contribution to Bengali literature. He was invited to deliver a number of commemorative and institutional lectures, some of which were: Syed Muhammad Taifur Memorial Lecture (January 10, 1977), Bangladesh Itihas Parishad (January 10, 1977), Professor Sayeedur Rahman Foundation Lecture (April 19, 1979), Bangla Academy Lecture (20-23 September, 1984), Centre for Advanced Research in Humanities Lecture of Dhaka University (August 6, 1985), Bangladesh Writers Union Lecture (February 18, 1986) Govinda Chandra Dev Commemoration Lecture (July 20, 1987), Colonel Taher Commemoration Lecture (July 21, 1989), Nazma Jasmin Chowdhury Commemoration Lecture (September 14, 1990), Poet Matiur Rahman Commemoration Lecture (March 2 – 3, 1992), West Bengal Bangla Academy Lecture (May 20, 1993) Literary Academy of Calcutta Center’s Lecture (May 1993) and Aroz Ali Matabbar Commemoration Lecture (April 10, 1997). Besides this, he was associated with 37 different socio-cultural and learned bodies which were basically progressive and left oriented organizations.
In his lifetime, he was the lone authority on ancient and medieval Bengali literature, the discussions of which he enriched with many original contributions. He was the author of more than 100-research publication in the form of books on history, philosophy, socio-cultural and contemporary political issues. He edited with long introductions 46 manuscripts of ancient and medieval Bengali literature and a number of others were in joint collaboration. It is rated by the sub-continental scholars that two volumes of his Bangalee and Bangla Shahitya (Men and Literature of Bengal) published between 1978 to 1983 are masterpieces. It may be mentioned here that during his lifetime he wrote more than 34611 pages in total and all his hand written pages stand at 13844 pages in print. Never did he care for appreciation or publicity for his massive scholarly works. During his lifetime a bulk of sycophants and a large section of the so-called liberal democrats and secular intellectuals of the country continuously denied his scholarly contribution and suppressed his free thoughts; moreover, even after his death they are doing the same till today but no one has ever questioned his intellectual honesty.
However, many believe that one of his major achievements was that, he unlike many of his contemporary scholars and academicians had been able to extract the hatred and enmity of reactionary forces by the bold expression of his own views. The late scholar was universally regarded for his ability to say “no” to various material temptations; his dignity and self respect, never permitted him to be submissive to power. Among his Dhaka University Colleagues he was just an impractical man, a cynic seized with radical ideas who was never “clever” enough to work for his own mundane interests as he never took any undue advantage of his scholarship position and influence to become wealthy, famous and powerful. The educated but ignorant people of Bangladesh are not aware of this misunderstood and controversial person who played a vital role to provoke our thoughts to make us conscious of our conscience. The following paper clippings on different national issues would determine his sense of responsibility and love for the people.
· The Bengali Department of the Dhaka University arranged a meeting on the occasion of Language Day. The meeting was presided over by Dr. Ahmed Sharif, where an anonymous decision was taken against the Education Commission proposal for introduction and implementation of Roman alphabet in the Bengali Alphabet (Ittefaq: February 27, 1959).
· In 1963, the “Temporary East Bengal Government” (in brief- Apurba Sangsad) was formed after the successful movement against the education policy of the then government and this “Apurba Sangsad” was the first organization which propagated very secretly for “Independent Bangladesh”. Poet Sufia Kamal and Abdul Aziz Bagmar were the President and Secretary respectively and Dr. Ahmed Sharif was one of the Advisers. In this connection, Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman wrote that on October 1, 1965, Dr. Ahmed Sharif wrote a secret document for Apurba Sangsad (Asthaee Purba Bangla Sarker – Temporary Government of East Bengal) and the document was known as 3rd Manifesto of the Sangsad, the title was: Ittihasher Dharay Bangalee (Historical Trends of Bengalees). Here he wrote the causes and ways for “Independent Bangladesh”; he also suggested the ways for socio-economic – political and cultural freedom for the Bengalees. Here he proposed the name of the then East Pakistan as “Bangladesh” and chose Rabindranath Tagore’s “Sonar Bangla” as national anthem (Prothom Alo, February 04, 2000; also for detail see: Abdul Aziz Bagmar: Swadhinatar Swapna: Urmesh - O – Orjan (Dream of Independence: Inception and Achievement, December 1999, Dhaka).
· Dr. Ahmed Sharif along with Dr. Kudrat-e-Khuda, Dr. Kazi Motahar Hossain Poet Sufia Kamal, Painter Zainul Abedin, Poet Sikandar Abu Zafar, Prof. Munier Chowdhury, Poet Hasan Hafizur Rahman and others vehemently opposed the reduction and boycott of Tagore’s song in the national media (Dainik Pakistan: 25, 1967)
· Against the misuse of crores of rupees for celebration of “Decade of Reforms” of President Ayub Khan, Dr. Ahmed Sharif read out the main paper and Novelist Hassan Azizul Haq, Journalist Safder Mir of the then West Pakistan were the discussants at the poetry session of Afro-Asian Countries, held at the Engineers Institute, Dhaka (Dainik Pakistan: November 30, 1968).
· A protest meeting and post meeting procession were arranged at Bangla Academy to protest the interference and attack by the Pakistan Government on the thoughts and rights in expressing views of East Pakistan’s writers, artists and cultural activists. Dr. Ahmed Sharif, along with poet Sufia Kamal, Painter Zainul Abedin, Poet Sikandar Abu Zafar, Prof. Munir Chowdhury, Journalist Ranesh Das Gupta and Shahidullah Kaisar spoke and the meeting was presided over by Dr. Muhammad Enamul Haq (Dainik Pakistan: January 15, 1969).
· Dr. Ahmed Sharif along with Mr. Abul Hashim, Dr. Muhammed Enamul Haq, Poet Jashimuddin, Poet Sufia Kamal, Prof. Munir Chowdhury and Prof. Mufazzal Haider Chowdhury, the seven top intellectuals of (the then) East Pakistan demanded to the central government to rename East Bengal as “Bangla” because of the cancellation of one unit system in West Pakistan. In this regard, Dr. Ahmed Sharif said, our identity is “Bangla” and we are using “Bangla” as our name in our poetry, literature, thoughts, speeches and every spheare of life (Writers Rights Protection Committee, 1969).
· The East Pakistan Student’s League organized a seminar on “Traditional and Ever Lasting Bangla” which was presided over by Mr. Abul Hashim of Islamic Academy and the discussants were Ataur Rahman Khan, Dr. Ahmed Sharif, Poet Jahanara Arzoo and Kazi Latifa Haq. Here Dr. Ahmed Sharif in his speech publicly demanded and justified that the East Pakistan must be known as “Bangladesh” (Daily Sangbad: December 25, 1969).
· At the meeting of the Writer Rights Preservation Committee, Dr. Ahmed Sharif in his presidential speech said that the curtain of conspiracy to suppress cultural activities (of East Bengal) has been opened because of the different committees constituted by the Central Government for reviewing arts and literature of East Bengal (Purbadesh: February 11, 1970)
· Due to political turmoil and to overcome, the situation 128 teachers of the Dhaka University in a joint statement appealed to the President of Pakistan to convene the National Assembly to save the people and country from the possible severe civil war. The prominent signatories were: Prof. Abdur Razzak, Dr. M.N. Huda, Dr. M. Innas Ali, Dr. Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury and Dr. Mofizullah Kabir, Prof. Munir Chowdhury and Dr. Ahmed Sharif (Ittefaq: March 4, 1971).
· The Writers Guild which was established by the Central Government of Pakistan for controlling the writers’ thoughts of East Pakistan, and the writers of this wing ultimately revolted against the government and came out to the forefront and began to support the leadership of the liberation movement. On March 5, 1971 all the cultural activists and intellectuals went to “Shahid Minar” (Martyer’s Memorial) and took solemn oath under the leadership of Dr. Ahmed Sharif that “Even at the cost of our life we will continue our struggle for the rights of East Bengal (Pakistan) and through our writings we will inspire the struggling people. For the success of the movement, our writings will act as bayonet and bullet. Forgetting the differences of the past, we will be united with the general mass and proceed forward for the success of the struggle” (Rafiqul Islam: Ekattorer Osohojog Andolon-O-Buddijibira, 1982)
· For an independent and sovereign state, the Writers Action Committee arranged a meeting under the presidentship of Dr. Ahmed Sharif and the meeting appealed to NAP leader Maulana Bhasani, Awami League Leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other political leaders of East Pakistan to be united for the greater interest (Dainik Pakistan: March 15, 1971).
· Writers Action Committee arranged a poetry session at the Bangla Academy premises, the session was presided over by Dr. Ahmed Sharif and self composed revolutionary poems were read out by poets Ahsan Habib, Hasan Hafizur Rahman and Shamsur Rahman (Dainik Pakistan: March 22, 1971)
· Writers Action Committee arranged a discussion meeting on “Bangla in Future” at the Bangla Academy premises where Dr. Ahmed Sharif, Dr. Serajul Islam Chowdhury, Dr. Momtazur Rahman Tarafdar read out the papers and the meeting was presided over by Dr. ABM Habibullah (Dainik Pakistan: March 23, 1971).
· Bangla Chatra Union and Biplobi Chatra Union observed the “Shahid Asad Day” and on this occasion Dr. Ahmed Sharif said that country meant not only soil but also its people. As we love people, that’s why we remember Shahid Asad (Dainik Bangla: January 21, 1972).
· In memory of Martyer Intellectual’s Programme at Bangla Academy, Dr. Ahmed Sharif urged the government not to impose any restrictions for expressing free thought (Dainik Bangla: February 6, 1972).
· On the occasion of 102 birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore at the program of Bangladesh TV, Dr. Ahmed Sharif said that, “Rabindranath didn’t have faith in socialism” (Dainik Bangla: May 6, 1973). It may be mentioned here that, for his view on Tagore, since then he was black listed from the TV programs during his lifetime
· In an interview with the news agency ENA; Dr. Ahmed Sharif said that, in Bangladesh, other than moral character, the people lacked nothing (Daily Sangbad: July 23, 1973).
· At the National Press Club an organization was formed in the name of Civil Rights and Legal Aid Committee under the presidentship of Dr. Ahmed Sharif. Journalist Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury, Poet Sikandar Abu Zafar, Sardar Fazlul Karim, AZM Enayetullah Khan and Badruddin Umar spoke on the occasion. Here Dr. Sharif appealed to the people of all walks of life’....during this crucial period, all of us need to be united for survival’ (Daily Azad: November 2, 1974).
· At the installation ceremony of the Dhaka Dental College Students Union, as Chief Guest Dr. Ahmed Sharif said that unequal distribution of wealth would make it impossible to bring economic emancipation of the people (Gonokantha: November 30, 1974)
· At the two days long national convention of Bangladesh Lekhak Shibir (Writers Guided) Dr. Sirajul Islam Chowdhury read out the main paper on “Social Responsibilities of a Writer” and it was presided over by Dr. Ahmed Sharif. In the presidential speech Dr. Ahmed Sharif said that, three types of intellectuals are in the country, one type is attached to the government, second type is afraid of the government and third type is against the government. (Dainik Bangla: May 16, 1977)
· At the press conference of the emergence of Mukti Juddha Chetona Bikash Kendra (Centre for Awakening the War of Liberation Idea) Dr. Ahmed Sharif said that without united effort no one can survive and due to the activities of the Razakars (Pakistani Collaborators) people are in danger, therefore, people should be united against the anti-liberation forces (Sangbad: August 24, 1985)
· On February 6, Muktadhara awarded Dr. Ahmed Sharif with Muktadhara Literary Award and on this occasion Dr. Ahmed Sharif said there wouldn’t be any sin in the society if the number of atheist are increased, by which tolerance will increase in the society. (Banglar Bani: February 7, 1989)
· Rishees Cultural Group gave a reception to Dr. Ahmed Sharif at the Ramna Park and the function was presided over by Dr. Anisuzzaman. At the reception, Dr. Ahmed Sharif said that “Any individual can be happy and successful in his life, if he can apply his knowledge with intelligence-strength with courage and initiative with determination; all these three factors, whoever will apply in his personal life, family life and socio-political life, his success will be inevitable (Daily Sangbad: February 26, 1989).
· Swadesh Chinta Sangha (Homeland Thought Union) organized a seminar titled “Suppression on Culture” and the seminar was presided over by Dr. Ahmed Sharif. Because of his controversial view on Islam, country-wide demonstrations were held. Fundamentalist of the country termed him as “Murtad” (One who leaves his own religion) and wanted to strangle him (Inquilab: October 22, 1992)
· As president of the Swadesh Chinta Sangha Dr. Ahmed Sharif condemned the government for banning Dr. Taslima Nasreen’s book “Lazza” (Shame). (Ittefaq: October 14, 1993)
· On the occasion of 21 death anniversary of Charu Majumder a seminar was organized on “Naxilite Movement and Charu Majumder” and Dr. Ahmed Sharif commented that NGOs are not allowing our people to be self-reliant. Economic emancipation won’t come until we change the social system. (Bangla Bazar Patrika: July 26, 1993)
· Swadesh Chinta Sangha organized a seminar on “NGOs Thoughts on Election” at the Dhaka University TSC, where Dr. Ahmed Sharif said that, half of the teachers of the University are fanatic and rest are pro-Awami League and BNP; mainly these teachers are purchasable. (Dainik Bangla: May 4, 1995)
· Swadesh Chinta Sangha organized a seminar at the National Press Club, here Dr. Ahmed Sharif said that Awami League, did not try to retain Secular Constitution for which they were committed to the people (Dainik Bangla: October 24, 1995)
· Shahid Biplobi Desh Premik Smriti Sangha (Martyr Revolutionary Patriots Memorial Organization) organized a seminar on the occasion of Siraj Sikdar’s 20 death anniversary at the Photo Journalists Association’s auditorium, where Dr. Ahmed Sharif said that, Awami League killed Siraj Sikdar in a well planned manner, followers of Siraj Sikdar are still alive but they are not getting proper direction for revolution and this is the proper time for revolution. (Dainik Dinkal: January 3, 1999)
Even till his last days, he had been living a secluded life to avoid the wrath of a section of the public who thought his views to be too dangerous for the establishment. During his lifetime, he was very much controversial and misunderstood personality among his contemporaries in the country. He was controversial because of his out spoken views against the establishment, spineless intellectuals and political leaders, and above all religious and parochial outlooks. He was also misunderstood because he was always reluctant to be associated with government agencies and he never attended any government sponsored programs or any elite class programs. Therefore, he was not known or his huge publications on different issues were not read. Moreover, he was black-listed from the national media. On the other hand, because of professional jealousy, opportunist national (!) intellectuals used to misinterpret him to the curious people, who wanted to know Dr. Sharif's philosophy and works.
Dr. Tajul Islam Hashmi wrote “.............. he could have become Vice-Chancellor of several Universities of this country, both during pre and post Bangladesh periods, as several other academies, even with lesser education and talent had done. He could have been an Ambassador, an ever present leader of delegations sent abroad by the governments of pre and post Bangladesh to represent the culture and literature (and what not!) of the region. Dr. Hashim further wrote that, even he could have become Chairman of the University Grants Commission or the Public Service Commission or at least a National Professor for his knowledge and very rich contributions to the field of Bengali language, literature and culture, both as a dedicated researcher and active writer Alas (!) none of these happened to out Sharif Sir. Even having such a rare qualities he had to retire in 1983, neither the Bengali Department nor the University took any serious initiative to continue his service and take advantage of his scholarship for national interest. Possibly he knew the art of antagonizing the powerful people and different government agencies ......” (Weekly Holiday, March 3, 1999). Moreover, his strong sense of dignity and self-respect did not permit him to be complacent and submissive to power. Even persons like Dr. Mohammed Abdul Mannan, Dr. Mohammed Moniruzzaman Mia and Dr. Emazuddin Ahammed all these three Vice-Chancellors of the Dhaka University were his very close associates for decades. But during their respective tenure of the office, they deliberately denied him the honour of serving as an Emeritus Professor, though his name as Emeritus Professor was in the agenda of the University’s Academic Council for several years but never the issue was discussed or raised during his lifetime.
After his death, educated but ignorant people realized that how they grossly misunderstood Dr. Ahmed Sharif during his lifetime. That is why, 15 editorials and 98 long tributes were published in the national weeklies and dailies. His regular and unfinished tasks have been carrying out by his admirers, his Swadesh Chinta Sangha (Homeland Thought Union) and Shukkurbarer Adda (Friday’s Gathering) of these responsibilities are taken over by Prof. Abul Kashem Fazlul Haq, Biggan Chetona Parishad (Council of Awakening Science) is headed by Dr. T. Hossain, regular evening Adda (gathering) at Suhrawardi Uddyan (Park) has been replaced by Dr. Humayun Azad and his last dream Samajtantrik Buddhijibi Sangha (Union of Socialist Intellectuals) a platform to unite all left learning socio-cultural and political parties, which he started but due to his sudden demise could not give a concrete shape, now it has been taken over by Dr. Serajul Islam Chowdhury. All these four celebrated personalities in the socio-cultural arena of Bangladesh have succeeded by Dr. Ahmed Sharif’s followers to complete and implement the tasks of legendary, uncompromising, courageous scholar, a harmless person and enemy of autocracy and obscurantism Dr. Ahmed Sharif.
Dr Nehal Karim (Assembly of Free Thinkers)
Born
on 10 September 1928, Dr Islam hails from the Charnabipur village of
Shahjanpur, Sirajganj. In 1951, Dr Islam was awarded first class first position.
His PhD thesis was on the famous north Bangla poet Hayat Mahmud. In 1960, Dr
Islam won the Fulbright scholarship and had his PhD in Folklore from the Indiana
University in 1963. After his PhD, Dr Islam joined the Centre for South East
Asian Studies of Chicago University. In 1964, Dr Islam returned home and was
appointed as a professor of Bangla department, Rajshahi University. In 1965 he
was elected the dean of the Arts Faculty of Rajshahi University.
In
1965, Dr Islam taught at Harvard University as a visiting professor for a year.
He also taught at the department of Anthropology at the Berkley campus of
University of California. Back from USA, Dr Islam was appointed as the provost
of Shah Makhdum Hall of Rajshahi University.
Dr
Islam was deeply involved in all the political movements leading to the
independence of Bangladesh. In the Mass movement of 1969, Dr Islam along
with some of his dedicated colleagues, went out on 18 February to protect the
rallying students of Rajshahi University from the assault of the Paki military.
The barbaric Paki troops opened fire on the students’ procession. One of the
Paki troops shot Dr Joha, the popular young proctor of Rajshahi University.
The death of Dr Joha fired up the movement causing the fall of Paki
dictator Ayub Khan.
Since
the mass movement, Dr Islam played an important advisory role for the Awami
League leadership. According to his book on Sheikh Mujib, Dr Islam was at
Mujib’s house with Tajuddin Ahmed and together they drafted the declaration
of Liberation War which Mujib voiced for his people from a low frequency
transmitter (BDR), signed and telegrammed it to Chittagong before Mujib was
captured by the Paki commandos and taken to West Pakistan.
Dr
Islam actively participated in the liberation war. Like millions of Bangalee
refugees in Kolkata, Dr Islam and his family had to go through terrible miseries
during the war. In the guise of an ordinary villager Dr Islam crossed the border
wearing lungi and a piece of head cloth, bare footed, torn vested. Later however
he managed to have a shelter, with help from the Kolkata university
teacher’s association at the residence of advocate Subrata Ray Chaudhuri.
Dr Islam’s wife Nurjahan ran from one village to another with her two
daughters and two young sons. Finally however the whole family managed to
reunite and get shelter in India.
After
the independence Dr Islam returned home with his family and Mujib appointed him
as the director of Bangla Academy. In 1974, he was appointed as the Vice
Chancellor of Rajshahi University.
The
killer gang of Mujib, headed by Mustak and his nephew Col Rashid, arrested Dr
Islam within two weeks following the assassination of Mujib and his family on 15
August 1975, and put him in Rajshahi central jail. After 32 months of
imprisonment (without any valid ground), Dr Islam was released in 1978 but was
never reinstated in his office at Rajshai University. Under the anti-liberation
military dictatorship all the doors were closed for Dr Islam. Kolkata University
came out with an offer to save the renowned scholar to save him from the
political limbo Zia’s military dictatorship put him in. With support from
Kolkata University Grants Commission, Kolkata University invited Dr Islam to
join its Bangla department as a visiting professor for two years 1979-81.
Following his two years contract with Kolkata University, Dr Islam taught at the
Bisbwa Bharati University for another two years 1982-84. Dr Islam also taught at
Delhi University as a visiting professor.
An
active intellectual Dr Islam did not confine himself to the four walls of
academia. Unlike many of his contemporary academics, Dr Islam was a competent
entrepreneur. In the 80s he started his garments industry which is still
running.
Following
an active and eventful life spanned over 75 years, Dr Islam breathed his last on
15 November 2003 at a Bangkok hospital I Thailand.
Dr
Islam’s publication includes: A History of Folktales Collection (1970),
An Introduction to Folklore Studies (1967), Moina and Lore Chandrani
(Kolkata, 1980), Poet Pagla Kanai (1959), Poet Hayat Mahmud
(1959), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib: 1974 (Bangla Academy), Bangabandhu,
Liberation War etc
Short
story: Tal Tomal (1959), Galpa Bichitra (1970); Translation: The
Rape of Bangladesh.
to be completed..........
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