Dhaka: Just six days before his 87th birth anniversary, legendary journalist Kamal Lohani, an epic figure of Bangladesh's political and cultural history, has passed away in Dhaka.
He breathed his last while undergoing treatment at the intensive care unit (ICU) of Sheikh Rasel Gastroliver Institute and Hospital around 10:15am on Saturday, Bonya Lohani, daughter of the veteran journalist, confirmed Dhaka Tribune.
Kamal Lohani, who tested positive for coronavirus infection on June 19, was on a life-support system since this morning, she added.
Family sources said he will be buried at his mother's grave at the family graveyard in Ullapara of Sirajganj.
On June 17, the Language Movement veteran was admitted to Health and Hope Hospital on Panthapath in the capital for kidney related complications and was undergoing treatment at the ICU of the hospital.
He was later shifted to the Sheikh Rasel Gastroliver Institute and Hospital on June 19 after he was found positive for Covid-19.
Just after his death, people from all walks of life started paying homage to the cultural figure on social media.
Meanwhile, President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Ekushey Padak winning journalist, renowned cultural activist, and freedom fighter Kamal Lohani.
In a condolence message, the president said: “Apart from journalism, Kamal Lohani made great contributions to our great Language Movement, liberation struggle and the Liberation War.”
The country has lost a great journalist and cultural figure and his death is an irreparable loss to the cultural arena of the country, he added.
In her condolence message, the prime minister said: “We have lost a progressive personality and an extraordinary warrior of non-communal spirit.”
Among others, Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, Health Minister Zahid Maleque, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmad, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Shahab Uddin, Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, Science and Technology Minister Yeafesh Osman, Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam, Cultural Affairs State Minister KM Khalid, State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak, and Jatiya Party Chairman Ghulam Muhammad Quader expressed sorrow at the demise of Kamal Lohani.
Bangladesh Health Reporters' Forum also mourned his death.
Lohani had a long struggle to establish freedom of thought in the country, as well as had illustrious career in journalism that provided many others with hope and inspiration.
Throughout his six-decade-long career, Lohani also worked as a commentator, orator, anchor, and dancer.
As an adolescent boy, he witnessed the Bengal Famine in 1943, and almost all the watersheds of history in later period of his life, such as the partition, the Language Movement, and subsequently, the Liberation War of Bangladesh.
Lohani contributed greatly to the Liberation War. He was jailed and tortured several times for his political activism during the Language Movement and the Liberation War.
He also worked as chief news editor for the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra in 1971.
In the post-war period, he served in important posts of many unions for journalists and relentlessly worked for establishing their rights and demands.
His activism and commentaries laid the foundation for many social movements that helped shape the country's democratic trajectory.
A serious activist and writer, Lohani produced many books, including Edesh Amar Gorbo, Bhasha Sankskriti O Ganomadhyam, Amader Sankskriti O Sangram, and Rajniti Muktijuddho Swadhin Bangla Betar.
Awarded with the prestigious Ekushey Padak, Kamal Lohani was a former president of Dhaka Union of Journalists.
He also served as the director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Besides, he was a president of Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi, and general secretary of Chhayanaut.
He was also involved with Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, a forum campaigning for a secular Bangladesh and trials of the war criminals of 1971.
Kamal Lohani and his wife Dipti Lohani (who passed away few years ago) are survived by two daughters — Bonya Lohani and Urmi Lohani, and son Sagar Lohani — who are also involved in journalism and cultural activism.
