Dhaka, July 17 – Prof Emajuddin Ahmed, ex-vice chancellor of Dhaka University (DU), was laid to eternal rest on Saturday at Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals Graveyard in the capital. He was buried beside his wife’s grave around 7 pm after his second and final Namaz-e-Janaza at the Central Mosque of Dhaka University after Asr prayers.
DU VC Prof Akhtaruzzaman, teachers’ association’s acting president Prof Lutfar Rahman and other senior teachers, BNP leaders AZM Zahid Hossain, Khairul Kabir Khokon, Habibur Rahman Habib, Sultan Salauddin Tuku and Ducsu Vice President Nurul Haque Nur, among others, joined the janaza.
Earlier, his first janaza was held at Kataban Dhaler Mosque after Jumma prayers participated by Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, common devotees and leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies.
Emajuddin died of cardiac arrest at a hospital in the capital on Friday morning at the age of 87.
He breathed his last around 6 am at Labaid Specialized Hospital in the city’s Dhanmondi area, said his personal secretary Amar Chandra Mistry.
Emajuddin, a veteran political scientist, complained of chest pain around 2 am at his Elephant Road residence. He was then taken to the Labaid Hospital, he said.
Amar said Emajuddin was feeling better after the admission, but he vomited around 4:30 am and then suffered a massive cardiac arrest in the early morning. Doctors later declared him dead at the ICU of the hospital.
He is survived by two sons, two daughters and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death.
Born in 1933 in Maldaha of India’s West Bengal, Emajuddin along with his family moved to Chapainawabganj after the partition of India.
He received his early education in Rajshahi, including Shibganj’s Adina Government Fazlul Haque College and Rajshahi College.
Emajuddin later took admission to Dhaka University for post-graduation in political science.
On completion of his studies, Emajuddin joined Rajshahi College as a lecturer. He was granted a scholarship by the Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada and obtained a PhD for his research in political science.
Upon completion of higher studies abroad, he joined the Political Science department of Dhaka University in 1970.
Later, Emajuddin served as the 21st VC of Dhaka University from 1992 to 1996.
He was awarded prestigious Ekushey Padak in the education category in 1992.
The noted political scientist retired in 1996 from Dhaka University. He later became the vice-chancellor of the University of Development Alternative. Emajuddin also worked with the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
Although he had no direct position in the BNP, he has attended many functions of the party at different times as he had good relations with its top leaders, and he had a significant influence on the party’s policy-making process
He was also the convener of pro-BNP intellectuals’ platform ‘Shoto Nagorik Committee’.
He authored over 50 books on various issues, including political science, comparative politics, democratic crisis, future of democracy, regional cooperation and national security.
Meanwhile, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members Khandaker Musharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, Jamiruddin Sircar, Mirza Abbas, vice chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo, Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah and Krishak Sramik Janata League president Abdul Kader Siddiqui expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of the eminent educationist.
In separate condolence messages, they prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and conveyed their sympathy to the bereaved family members.
Meanwhile, BNP on Friday paid last respect to former vice-chancellor (VC) of Dhaka University Prof Emajuddin Ahmed.
On behalf of the party, its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir paid tributes to the noted educationalist at his Elephant Road residence.
Fakhrul stood in solemn silence for a while in front of the body of Emajuddin.
Talking to reporters, Fakhrul said, “We can’t believe he’s left this world suddenly. A big void has created among us with his demise, which won’t be filled easily.”
“On behalf of our party, our chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman, we pay our respect to him. We also pray so that may Allah grant him Jannat,” he said.
The BNP leader also conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved family members.
Fakhrul said Emajuddin was a guardian of the country’s freedom- and democracy-loving people. “He’s truly a selfless, dedicated, devoted patriot and educationist.”
He said the ex-DU VC always wanted Bangladesh to become truly a liberal democratic and developed country. “Throughout his life, he wrote in favour of independence, sovereignty and democracy of Bangladesh.”
Fakhrul said Prof Emajuddin was a star and a sun who illuminated the nation with his light.
Later, he talked to family members of the educationist and consoled them.
Prof Emajuddin Ahmed died of cardiac arrest at a hospital in the capital on Friday morning at the age of 87.
