Dhaka: Bengali language movement hero Abdul Matin, who had close links with India, died on Wednesday in Bangladesh after a prolonged illness.
Matin, 88, breathed his last at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University hospital, his wife Gulbadan Nesa Monika said.
The language hero, who had been undergoing treatment since August 19, was on life support after his condition deteriorated on October 3, the Daily Star reported.
Matin, popularly known as Bhasha Matin, was born on December 3, 1926. His parents moved to Darjeeling in 1930 after their house was destroyed by flood waters of Jamuna river.
At the end of the World War II, Matin took the British army's entrance tests from Kolkata's Fort William and received commission.
He went to Bangalore from there. In 1945, he got admitted to BA course at the Dhaka University.
He played a significant role in the historic Language Movement in 1952. The veteran also played an active role in forming the Chhatra Union after the Language Movement and became its president later. He then got involved in communist movement.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed shock at the demise of Matin and conveyed her sincere sympathy to the bereaved family.
In a condolence message, Hasina said the first step for the independence of the country was taken through the Language Movement.
"Abdul Matin was one of the fighters of that historic movement. His death is the end of a living history," the Prime Minister said.
