Published: 12:38 AM, 02 June 2026
Tofail Ahmed: A silent departure for a witness to history
Veteran politician and former minister Tofail Ahmed has died at the age of 82. He died at around 3:30pm yesterday (1 June 2026) at a private hospital in Dhaka, after suffering from multiple health complications, relevant sources said. He had been on life support in recent months. Tofail Ahmed, a prominent figure in Bangladesh's political history, rose to prominence as a student leader. He served as vice-president of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) between 1967 and 1969 and played a leading role in the 1969 mass uprising. Tofail Ahmed's death marks the silent departure for a witness to history.
Born on October 22, 1943 in Bhola, he was elected to parliament in 1970 at the age of 27. He went on to be elected to parliament eight more times and served the Bangladesh government as a minister on several occasions.
During the Liberation War, Tofail Ahmed was a key organizer and a senior leader of the Mujib Bahini guerrilla force.
After independence, he became political secretary to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and later held cabinet portfolios three times. It may be recalled that Tofail Ahmed gave the title 'Bangabandhu' to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in February 1969.
In his later years, Tofail Ahmed served on the advisory council of Awami League.
He is survived by his daughter, Dr Taslima Ahmed Jaman Munni.
