Prof Piash Karim passes away

Dr Piash Karim, a professors of BRAC University's Economics and Social Sciences Department, died of cardiac arrest early Monday. He was 56, reports UNB.

His brother Zahir Karim said Piash Karim had complained of severe chest pain around 3am at his Dhanmondi residence.

Later, he was taken to Square Hospital around 5:30am where physicians pronounced him dead.

Dr Mollika Sarker, a doctor at the emergency department of the Square Hospital, said Piash Karim, also a well-known TV talk-show panelist, had breathed his last before he was brought to the hospital. "After examining his body, we assume he suffered a heart attack."

Piash Karim is survived by wife Amena Mohsin, a professor at Dhaka University's International Affairs Department, and one son.

Hailing from Comilla, Piash Karim was also known as Manjur Karim. He obtained his PhD in Sociology from Kansas State University, USA.

According to the BRAC University website, his specializations include Political Economy, Political Sociology, Nationalism and Social Theory.

"He had extensive teaching experience in the United States and held faculty positions at the University of Nebraska at Kearny and Culver- Stocketon College, Missouri for seventeen years before joining BRAC University in 2007. His latest passion focused on Civil Society and Media Activism," the website says.

Known as a right leaning political analyst, Piash Karim often took part in talk shows on different TV channels and seminars as a resource person.

He came under fire by different quarters for his comments against Sahahbagh Gonojagoron Mancha and the trial procedure of the International War Crimes Tribunals.

Meanwhile, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and president of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh Dr Badruddoza Chowdhury expressed profound shock at his death.

Hearing his death news, his university colleagues, students, eminent citizens and political leaders rushed to his residence.

BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul, chairperson's special assistant Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas and press secretary Maruf Kamal Khan, ex-VC of Dhaka University Prof Emajuddin Ahmed, DU Prof Asif Nazrul, columnist Farhad Mazhar, Manabzamin editor Motiur Rahman Chowdhury, New Age editor Nurul Kabir, senior journalist Mahfuzullah and Barrister Tuhin Malik, among others, visited Piash Karim's residence and consoled his bereaved family members.

Zahir Karim said his brother's mortal remains will be kept at the mortuary of the Square Hospital until Tuesday.

Another family member said the decision about his burial will be finalised after his three sisters, living in the USA, Canada and India, return home.

He also said Piash Karim's body will be kept at the national Shaheed Minar from 11am to 1pm on Wednesday enabling people from all walks of life to pay their last homage to the late professor.