Anger has been vented on the government after Language Movement stalwart Abdul Matin was not given state honour in death, report agencies.
Hundreds of people gathered at Central Shaheed Minar in the city Thursday noon to bid farewell to Matin, who earned the name 'Bhasha Matin' for his role as convenor of the all-party state language movement committee in 1952.
The tribute there was arranged by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), assisted by Sammilito Sanskritik Jote.
Senior politicians from the ruling Awami League, BNP, Communist Party of Bangladesh and other left-leaning parties paid their respects.
Golam Arieff Tipoo, the chief prosecutor at the International Crimes Tribunal, was also disappointed.
"Matin Bhai was a conscious and progressive man. It is very painful to know that a man of his stature will not be given state honour. This is not pleasant for the state."
Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid who was among the mourners at Shaheed Minar at noon, said he did not know why the honour was not extended to the 88-year old.
"I can't say why he was not given state honour. But he is an icon of the Language Movement. State honour and recognitions are just formalities."
Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim, however, asserted that Abdul Matin had, indeed, been given state honour.
"The prime minister ordered his treatment. The tribute at Shaheed Minar was arranged by BSMMU. So it is not correct that he was not given the state honour."
Abdul Matin contributed vastly to developing society with left politics.
He was awarded the 'Ekushey Padak' in 2001.
As per his wish, his eyes would be donated to voluntary organisation Sandhani and the body for medical students.
Meanwhile, BNP Thursday voiced displeasure as Language Movement hero Abdul Matin was not given the state honour.
"He (Bhasha Matin) is one of the greatest sons of the soil. The nation had expected the state would show him due honour. But we don' t know why he was not given the state honour," wondered BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
He was talking to reporters after paying the last respect to Matin at the Central Shaheed Minar in the city at noon.
People from all walks of life flocked to Central Shaheed Minar to pay their last respects to Language Movement veteran Abdul Matin.
Leaders of different political parties, including Awami League and BNP, and different socio-cultural organisations, paid their homage to one of the organisers of the 1952 Language Movement.
Fakhrul said the government should have given him state honour for his outstanding contributions to the nation. "Abdul Matin is a legendary leader who had led the nation to the Language Movement… He also devoted himself to building the country and worked for the betterment of people throughout his life," the BNP spokesman added.
Mentioning that people will ever remember his contributions, he said. "Abdul Matin never deviated from his ideal and philosophy. So, it was the responsibility of the state to show the great leader the due honour."
BNP standing committee members MK Anwar, Mirza Abbas, Hannan Shah, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's adviser Dr Osman Farroque and leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies were also present.
