Mohiuddin Chowdhury Was an Impregnable and Valiant Politician

 Mohammad Elias

A.B.M Mohiuddin Chowdhury was the general secretary of the Chittagong city unit of Chhatra League. He was leader of Sorbodolio Chhatra Sangram Parishad and organized a strike in Chittagong on 1 March 1971. After the 7 March 1971 speech by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Chowdhury and other student activists looted firearms from the Rifles Club and an arms depot in Majhirghat. He was arrested by the Pakistan Army soon but was released after he pretended to be insane in prison. He moved to India to train for the Mukti Bahini and was appointed a commander in the East Mount Battalion after his training. After the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he formed a Mujib Bahini unit to resist the Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad government. He was arrested by the government. he fled to India on being released.

Another name of the movement is late Alhajj A.B.M Mohiuddin Chowdhury.  Mohiuddin Chowdhury was the leader of Awami League in Chittagong in all areas from the anti-dictatorship movement.  He is a fearless hero, the shaper of modern Chittagong.'

Late Alhaj ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury was a believer in the ideals of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and a loyal soldier of country ratna Sheikh Hasina.  His life narrative is sometimes in the form of a story, sometimes in the style of a novel.  He used to get mixed up among the oppressed people after suffering prison-tyranny and torture.  Sometimes he struggled to free the motherland from the shackles of subjugation.  Devoted himself to the welfare of humanity till the end of his life.

ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury is truly an integral student leader of the Liberation War.  A public leader, the leader of the people, the leader of the masses, the hope of thousands of helpless people, the adorable man of millions of people, the kind heart of the deprived and the oppressed, the beacon of hope for the poor and the neglected, the fighting soldier of Mujibadarsha, the indomitable courage of the people's leader Sheikh Hasina.  A dedicated friend of the people of Chattal in happiness and sorrow, disaster and adversity.  A humanitarian leader, a peddler of humanity untouched by wealth, lust for wealth, ill-gotten gains, luxurious life.

ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, the veteran leader of Awami League, was repeatedly criticized by the ruling group for his involvement in student politics during the Pakistan period, for his movement to liberate the country from the enemy during the liberation war, and for maintaining the existence of the party after the assassination of Bangabandhu.  Still did not leave politics.  He turned around despite being hurt.  In this way, he became a popular politician of Chittagong by going above party affiliation.  Got the title of 'Chattalbir'.  Therefore, regardless of the party, everyone praises this late lUniversity. He was born on December 1, 1944 at Bux Ali Chowdhury house in Gahira village of Raujan upazila in Chittagong.  Father Hossain Ahmed Chowdhury and mother Bedura Begum.  Mohiuddin was the eldest among eight siblings.  His father worked in the Assam Bengal Railway.  Due to his father's job, Mohiuddin studied at Maizdi District School, Kazem Ali English High in the city, and Pravartak Sangh.  He got involved in the politics of Chhatra League during his school life.  At the end of secondary school, he was admitted to the diploma engineering course on the orders of his father.  Later, he was admitted to Chittagong College, one of the educational institutions of Chittagong.  Wasn't there long.  Then he got admission in commerce college.  Couldn't finish there either.  At the end, he was admitted to City College.  His revolutionary political life was at hand in City College.  Later, he received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Chittagong University.

Mohiuddin, who got involved in politics as a student, passed SSC in 1962, HSC in 1965 and degree in 1967.  Department of Islamic History and Culture of Chittagong University and later admitted to Law College but did not finish.  He got involved in the student movement.  At the beginning of his political career, Mohiuddin Chowdhury came close to public leader Zahoor Ahmad Chowdhury.

In 1968 and 1969, Mohiuddin, who served as the general secretary of Chittagong City Chhatra League, formed the 'Joy Bangla' army in 1971.  While participating in the liberation war, ISI (Pakistan's intelligence agency) was arrested from Chittagong Naval Academy headquarters.  After that he had to endure inhuman torture for four months.  After being released from prison, he pretended to be crazy and escaped to India.  After the armed training there, he actively participated in the front battle.  Fought under the Mountain Division of the Indo-Bangla Joint obstacles Mohiuddin, a frontline fighter, joined labor politics after independence.  He got the post of General Secretary of Jubo League City Committee.  Gradually became Bangabandhu's favorite.

Mohiuddin formed 'Mujib Bahini' under the leadership of Maulvi Syed to take revenge after the family of the father of the nation was killed in 1975.  At that time, when he was accused in the 'Chittagong Conspiracy Case', he fled to Kolkata.  Then he returned to the country in 1978.

When he arrived in the country, one after another Hulia was imposed on him.  Executions, torture and imprisonment by the military began.  Mohiuddin became a protester during the Zia regime.  At that time, the officials of the government were afraid of him.  He also played a role in handing over the responsibility of the party to Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.  After returning to the country, when the conspirators were active to ignore Sheikh Hasina, the indomitable brave Mohiuddin went to Dhaka from Chittagong and jumped for Bangabandhu's daughter.  Sheikh Hasina overcame all obstacles.

Mohiuddin Chowdhury was the pride and pride of Chittagong.  He was the leader of the common man, the leader of the masses.  We lost him today.  The void created here by his departure is not to be filled.

History remembers those who do everything for the development of the society. Mohiuddin Chowdhury is a historical figure who will always be remembered with utmost respect and love. We mourn for the loss of this sparkling star. And we promise to uplift all his good spirits through our works.
Mohiuddin Chowdhury used to beat his chest in front of the police baton and tear gas.   He used to occupy the streets with thousands of people.  His thunderous voice could be heard all around.  That story is like a fairy tale!  When Mohiuddin Chowdhury was arrested during the non-cooperation movement in 1996, the entire Chittagong was on fire.

He was the Kandari of neglected Chittagong.  The expectations of the people of Chittagong have been largely fulfilled by his hands.  He risked his life and participated in the Great Liberation War.  After the assassination of the father of the nation, Bangabandhu, he fought fiercely to take revenge and became a legend in history.  The former mayor was on the streets in the anti-dictatorship mass movement and the movement to establish democracy.  He has left a rare contribution to history by organizing victory fair every year to convey the history of liberation war to generations.  Chittagong people lost a successful servant and guardian in his death.  He never disenfranchised the people.  He was against the economic corruption going on with the connivance of political leaders. Mohiuddin Chowdhury tried to maintain political harmony in Chittagong.  He has always protested against various activities against public interest.  He was also vocal against the decision of his party against public interest.

How a man like Mohiuddin Chowdhury spread the fragrance of the people of Chittagong by sitting on the throne, it is a great wonder!  Chittagong is literally empty after his great departure.  Not only Chashmahil, the whole of Chittagong is now a leaderless mess.  Chittagong has been covered by a huge black canvas of incredible emptiness!  The wail of the void in the air!


Mohammad Elias is Deputy
Director (Finance & Budget),
Retirement Facilities Board,
Ministry of Education,
Bangladesh government.