Dr Halima Khatun, a 1952 Language Movement veteran and litterateur, passed away in a Dhaka hospital on Tuesday. She was 86.
She breathed her last around 2pm at the United Hospital after suffering from heart, kidney and blood-related diseases, according to her niece actor Suborna Mustafa, reports UNB.
Media reports said the former Dhaka University (DU) teacher was admitted there last month.
Halima’s daughter Progga Laboni told reporters that her mother would be buried at Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals Graveyard on Wednesday.
Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor expressed profound shock at Halima’s death and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul.
Condoling her bereaved family members, Noor said: "Halima was one of the organizers who participated actively in the Language Movement. Specially, she played a vital role in organizing and inspiring the women to participate in the movement."
"She will be remembered forever for her role in the movement and contribution to the Bengali literature," he added.
Halima Khatun was born on August 25, 1933, in Bagerhat. She was the youngest child of Moulvi Abdur Rahman and Doulatunnesa.
She completed her MA in English Literature from Dhaka University and received Doctorate in Education in 1968 from the University of Northern Colorado in the US.
She got involved with the Language Movement since 1948 and actively took part in it after her admission in Dhaka University in 1951.
Halima had played a major role in organizing processions of women on February 21, 1952. She was also seen at the forefront of the demonstrations that day along with other women.
Halima, also a writer who completed her Doctorate in Children Literature, had received the Bangla Academy Award for her contribution in children literature.
Alongside, she was also honoured with Bangladesh Shishu Academy Sahitya Puraskar in 1999.
