DHAKA, May 28, 2022 (BSS) - People from all walks of life have paid glowing tributes to Language Movement veteran, prominent columnist and journalist Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury at the Central Shaheed Minar here.

Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury’s body was taken to the Central Shaheed Minar at around 1:00pm to allow the people to have the last glimpse of this famous journalist and columnist.

The 88-year-old Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury - best known for writing the lyrics of “Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano” died at a hospital in the UK on May 19. His body was brought by air to Dhaka this morning.

He received a ‘guard of honour’ as a freedom fighter while a moment of silence was observed to commemorate his passing.

Then the Shaheed Minar filled with the sound of his song ‘Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February Ami Ki Bhulite Pari?’ (My Brother's Blood Spattered 21 February Can I forget the twenty-first of February incarnadined by the love of my brother? as a tribute both to its lyricist and the brave Language Martyrs.

On behalf of President M Abdul Hamid, his Military Secretary Major General SM Salahuddin Islam and on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her Military Secretary Brigadier General Kabir Ahmed paid glowing tributes to Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury by placing wreaths on his coffin.

Then, the speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury paid tribute to him by placing a wreath.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Presidium Members Matia Chowdhury, Nurul Islam Nahid, Dr. Md. Abdur Razzak, Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Abdur Rahman on behalf of Awami League President Sheikh Hasina placed a wreath on his coffin.

Among others, AL joint general secretaries Mahbubul-Alam Hanif, Dr Dipu Moni and AFM Bahauddin Nasim and office secretary Barrister Biplab Barua were present on the occasion.

On behalf of 14-party alliance, Workers Party president Rashed Khan Menon, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad), Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Basad), Workers Party of Bangladesh, National Awami Party (NAP) and different affiliated organizations of AL including Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) paid their tributes.

On behalf of Dhaka University led by its Vice Chancellor Dr Akhtaruzzamn and Pro-VC ASM Maksud Kamal and on behalf of Bangla Academy, Swadhinata and Ekushey Padak winning writer Selina Hossain paid tributes to the columnist.

Besides, Bangladesh Police Service Association, Sector Commanders Forum, Bangladesh Asiatic Society, Bangladesh Kabita Parishad, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) and different socio-cultural organizations paid their tributes to Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury.  
    
Later, his body was taken to the premises of the Dhaka University Central Mosque where his second namaz-e-janaza was held.