Bangladesh: Revolutionary Intellectual Principal Abdus Shaheed Passed Away

We hereby share an unofficial translation of an article published by the Revolutionary Student-Youth Movement (RSYM).

Abdus Shaheed, an organizer of the revolutionary students’ union of the 1960s, and one of the country’s leading Maoist intellectuals, and a lifelong revolutionary principal, has passed away. He died at his home in Kalikapur village of Dapunia, Mymensingh Sadar, at the age of 87 due to old age-related illness at 5 pm today (Tuesday).

Principal Abdus Shaheed believed in the communist revolutionary ideology of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism. He suffered imprisonment and much torture while working for this ideology and remained faithful to this ideology until his death. He was associated with it since the formation of the East Bengal Workers’ Movement in 1968. At that time, he was in the presence of the great revolutionary leader Comrade Siraj Sikder. He was a teacher by profession. He started his teaching career as the headmaster of Muktagachha Nabarun High School in Mymensingh and then became the headmaster of Khagdahar High School in Mymensingh Sadar. He then started teaching in colleges, teaching at Phulpur College. From there, he became the vice-principal of Purbadhala College and then the acting principal. After Purbadhala, he served as the principal of Shyamganj College and from there, Atpara Teligati College. From there, he resigned and joined Rangpur Mahiganj Degree College as a principal, and after ending his teaching career there, he served as a sub-editor of the country’s renowned English newspaper, The Independent. While in his teaching career, he inspired the youth in various parts of the country to revolutionary politics. In this way, he produced a large number of revolutionary political workers.

Despite having the opportunity, he abandoned the charm of urban comfort and ease and was living a simple life in the village with his life partner. When his wife died two years ago, he was living alone in his village house. Many people who believe in dialectical materialism make various compromises at some point in their lives. At the end of their lives, they take refuge in religion. Comrade Abdus Shaheed was an exception. He remained steadfast in his beliefs until his last breath.

The New Democratic People’s Front has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Comrade Abdus Shaheed and extends its condolences to his bereaved family and relatives.