Language Movement hero Yusuf Kalu passes away

Language Movement veteran and journalist Yusuf Hossain Kalu passed away at a hospital in Barisal on Monday due to old age complications. 

He was 91.

Yusuf Kalu, also a freedom fighter, breathed his last at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College and Hospital around 5:40pm, said his son Md Shohagh.

His namaz-e-janaza was held on the Sree Chaittaniya Gobinda Mohan High School ground in Barisal city on Tuesday morning.  

Prior to the funeral prayer, the freedom fighter was given a state honour.

Later, the body of Yusuf Kalu was taken to his village home at Kanudaskathi in Jalakathi’s Rajapur upazila. He was laid to rest at his family graveyard.

Born on January 18, 1931 at Kanudaskathi’s Miabari, Yusuf was the youngest son of his father Obaidul Karim (Raza Mia) and mother Fatema Khatun.

He was a student of Barisal BM College. Until the death, he was active in works related to the history of Language Movement and Liberation War.

Language Movement veteran and journalist Yusuf Kalu | Dhaka Tribune

Yusuf became involved in the Language Movement in 1948 when he was an eighth grader.

After passing matriculation, he got admitted to the BM College and became involved with Chhatra Union.

He was also a member of the 25-member “Language Movement Council.”

In 1952, Yusuf joined the Chhatra League and later got involved with the Awami League politics.

He started journalism in 1962 and joined Daily Azad at first and later Daily Paygam. Yusuf was the general secretary of Barisal Press Club from 1962 to 1973.

During the Liberation war, Yusuf received training at Hasnabad, Hingalgarh, Taki Headquarters on May 14, 1971.

After returning to the country, he fought against the Pakistan Army under Sector 9 in Kaliganj and Satkhira bordering areas.

His house was looted during the Liberation War.

State Minister for Water Resources Zaheed Farooque, lawmaker Abul Hasanat Abdullah, and Barisal City Corporation Mayor Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah, among others, expressed deep shock at the demise of the freedom fighter and Language Movement hero.

In addition, various organizations also mourned the death of Yusuf Kalu.