Muazzam Hussain Khan :
Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman (1928-2014), educationist and a thoughtful writer, was born on 3rd December in 1928 at village Dayarampur in Jangipur subdivision of Murshidabad in West Bengal, India. His father Moulvi Jahiruddin Biswas was a lawyer, and his mother was Gul Habiba. Habibur Rahman passed Matriculation examination in 1945 from Jangipur High School and IA examination in 1947 from Presidency College in Kolkata. He obtained BA (Hons) in History in 1950, MA in 1951 and got LLB degree in 1955 from Dhaka University. He obtained BA (Hons) and MA degree in Modern History in 1958 and 1962 respectively from Worcester College of Oxford University. He completed Bar at Law from the Lincon’s Inn in 1959.
Habibur Rahman began his career as a Lecturer in History in Dhaka University in 1952. Later he joined Rajshahi University where he subsequently held the office of Dean of the Faculty of Law (1961) and of Reader in History (1962-64). He changed his profession in 1964 and joined the Dhaka High Court bar. In his legal career he held the offices of Assistant Advocate General (1969), Vice President of High Court Bar Association (1972) and member of Bangladesh Bar Council (1972).
Habibur Rahman was appointed a judge of the High Court in 1976, and judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in 1985. He was the Acting Chief Justice in 1990-91 and was made Chief Justice of Bangladesh in 1995. His juristic competence is demonstrated in his opinions and interpretations as pronounced in many of the Bangladesh Supreme Court’s decisions concerning vital issues, such as, admiralty jurisdiction, amendment of the Constitution, citizenship, habeas corpus, administrative tribunals and court jurisdictions. He retired from service as Chief Justice of in 1995.
A thoughtful writer, Habibur Rahman had interest in varied subjects. The spirit of Renaissance was in him, and was all through in search of knowledge through its manifold dimensions. His research, covering as if did literature, polities, religion and society, demonstrated the larger than life intellectual inhabiting his being. A leading intellectual voice, Habibur Rahman explored Rabindranath through many dimensions. He was a poet and aesthete, devoted to religions, non-communal.
Some of his literary and other noted publications are as follows: Law of Requisition (1966), Jotha Shobdo (1974), Rabindra Probondhey Sanjna O Parthokyo Bichar (1983), Matri-bhashar Svopokshey Rabindranath (1983), Qoran-Sutra (1984), Gangariddhi Thekey Bangladesh (1985), Bochon O Probochon (1985), Robindra-Rochanar Rabindra-byakhya (1986), Rabindra-Bakyey Art Sangeet O Sahityo (1986), Amora ki Jabo-na Tader Kachhey Jara Shudhu Banglay Kotha Boley (1996), Bangladesh Dirghojeebi Hoke (1996), Tero-i Bhadro Sheeter Jonmo (1996), Kolom Ekhon Nagaler Bairey (1996), Ayner Shason O Bichar Bibhager Svadhinota (1997), Bangladesh Songbidhaner Shobdo O Khondo-bakyo (1997), Bangladesher Tarikh (1998), Moner Agachha Puriye (1998), Bang Banga Bangala Bangladesh (1999), Sarkar Songbidhan O Odhikar (1999), Kobi Tumi Noho Gurudev (1999), Ekushey February Sokol Bhashar Kotha Koi (1999), Mausumi Bhabna (1999), Mitrakshor (2000), Jago Otho Darao Bangladesh (2000), Nirbachito Probondho (2000), Qoran Sharifer Sorol Bonganubad (2000), Chaoa-Paoa O Na-Paoar Hiseb (2001), Swopno Duhswopno O Bobar Swopno (2002), Rabindra-Rachanae Ayni Bhabna (2002), Bishonno Bisoy O Bangladesh (2003), Prothomey Matribhasha Porobhasha Porey (2004), Rabindranath O Sobhyotar Sonkot (2004), Safdeler Mohora (2004), Unnoto Momo Shir (2005), Ek Bharatio Bangalir Atmo-Somalochona (2005), Daymukti (2005), Koto Bhagye Bangladesh, Kothai Dariye Bangladesh (2006), Shiksharthi O Shiksha-datader Joi Hoke (2007), Jatidhormo-borno-Nari-Purush Nirbisheshey (2007), Banglar Suryo Az Ar Osto Jay Na (2007), Manusher Jonyo Khancha Banio Na (2007), Swadhinotar Daybhar (2007), Rajar Chithir Protikshay (2007), Udoyer Pothey Amader Bhabna (2008), Zar Za Dhorma (2008), Bangladesher Tarikh, II (2008), Desher Bhalo-Mondo (2008), Bazar O Odrishyo Hosto (2008), Ek-mutho Somudrer Gorjon (2008), Srijonsheel Gonotontro (2008), Line-chyuto Rail-garhi (2008), Gangariddhi (2008), Subhashita (2009), Rajnoitik Kobita (2010), Itihas Bisoyok (2010), Rabindranather Swodesh-chinta (2010), Tora Kemon Korey Parli (2010), Tao ti ching-er Onubad (2010), Ayn-Adhikar O Birodh O Mimamsa (2010), Nirbachito China Kobita (2010), Ayn-Shobdokosh (2007), On Rights and Remedies, The Road Map to Peace but Nowhere to go.
Justice Rahman was awarded Bangla Academy Prize for Literature in 1984, Ekushey Padak in 2007 and a number of awards from other concerns. He was a Fellow of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh; Fellow of the Bangla Academy; Honorary Bencher, Lincoln’s Inn; and Honorary Fellow, Worcester College of Oxford University.
Justice Habibur Rahman breathed his last in Dhaka on 11 January 2014. n
Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman (1928-2014), educationist and a thoughtful writer, was born on 3rd December in 1928 at village Dayarampur in Jangipur subdivision of Murshidabad in West Bengal, India. His father Moulvi Jahiruddin Biswas was a lawyer, and his mother was Gul Habiba. Habibur Rahman passed Matriculation examination in 1945 from Jangipur High School and IA examination in 1947 from Presidency College in Kolkata. He obtained BA (Hons) in History in 1950, MA in 1951 and got LLB degree in 1955 from Dhaka University. He obtained BA (Hons) and MA degree in Modern History in 1958 and 1962 respectively from Worcester College of Oxford University. He completed Bar at Law from the Lincon’s Inn in 1959.
Habibur Rahman began his career as a Lecturer in History in Dhaka University in 1952. Later he joined Rajshahi University where he subsequently held the office of Dean of the Faculty of Law (1961) and of Reader in History (1962-64). He changed his profession in 1964 and joined the Dhaka High Court bar. In his legal career he held the offices of Assistant Advocate General (1969), Vice President of High Court Bar Association (1972) and member of Bangladesh Bar Council (1972).
Habibur Rahman was appointed a judge of the High Court in 1976, and judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in 1985. He was the Acting Chief Justice in 1990-91 and was made Chief Justice of Bangladesh in 1995. His juristic competence is demonstrated in his opinions and interpretations as pronounced in many of the Bangladesh Supreme Court’s decisions concerning vital issues, such as, admiralty jurisdiction, amendment of the Constitution, citizenship, habeas corpus, administrative tribunals and court jurisdictions. He retired from service as Chief Justice of in 1995.
A thoughtful writer, Habibur Rahman had interest in varied subjects. The spirit of Renaissance was in him, and was all through in search of knowledge through its manifold dimensions. His research, covering as if did literature, polities, religion and society, demonstrated the larger than life intellectual inhabiting his being. A leading intellectual voice, Habibur Rahman explored Rabindranath through many dimensions. He was a poet and aesthete, devoted to religions, non-communal.
Some of his literary and other noted publications are as follows: Law of Requisition (1966), Jotha Shobdo (1974), Rabindra Probondhey Sanjna O Parthokyo Bichar (1983), Matri-bhashar Svopokshey Rabindranath (1983), Qoran-Sutra (1984), Gangariddhi Thekey Bangladesh (1985), Bochon O Probochon (1985), Robindra-Rochanar Rabindra-byakhya (1986), Rabindra-Bakyey Art Sangeet O Sahityo (1986), Amora ki Jabo-na Tader Kachhey Jara Shudhu Banglay Kotha Boley (1996), Bangladesh Dirghojeebi Hoke (1996), Tero-i Bhadro Sheeter Jonmo (1996), Kolom Ekhon Nagaler Bairey (1996), Ayner Shason O Bichar Bibhager Svadhinota (1997), Bangladesh Songbidhaner Shobdo O Khondo-bakyo (1997), Bangladesher Tarikh (1998), Moner Agachha Puriye (1998), Bang Banga Bangala Bangladesh (1999), Sarkar Songbidhan O Odhikar (1999), Kobi Tumi Noho Gurudev (1999), Ekushey February Sokol Bhashar Kotha Koi (1999), Mausumi Bhabna (1999), Mitrakshor (2000), Jago Otho Darao Bangladesh (2000), Nirbachito Probondho (2000), Qoran Sharifer Sorol Bonganubad (2000), Chaoa-Paoa O Na-Paoar Hiseb (2001), Swopno Duhswopno O Bobar Swopno (2002), Rabindra-Rachanae Ayni Bhabna (2002), Bishonno Bisoy O Bangladesh (2003), Prothomey Matribhasha Porobhasha Porey (2004), Rabindranath O Sobhyotar Sonkot (2004), Safdeler Mohora (2004), Unnoto Momo Shir (2005), Ek Bharatio Bangalir Atmo-Somalochona (2005), Daymukti (2005), Koto Bhagye Bangladesh, Kothai Dariye Bangladesh (2006), Shiksharthi O Shiksha-datader Joi Hoke (2007), Jatidhormo-borno-Nari-Purush Nirbisheshey (2007), Banglar Suryo Az Ar Osto Jay Na (2007), Manusher Jonyo Khancha Banio Na (2007), Swadhinotar Daybhar (2007), Rajar Chithir Protikshay (2007), Udoyer Pothey Amader Bhabna (2008), Zar Za Dhorma (2008), Bangladesher Tarikh, II (2008), Desher Bhalo-Mondo (2008), Bazar O Odrishyo Hosto (2008), Ek-mutho Somudrer Gorjon (2008), Srijonsheel Gonotontro (2008), Line-chyuto Rail-garhi (2008), Gangariddhi (2008), Subhashita (2009), Rajnoitik Kobita (2010), Itihas Bisoyok (2010), Rabindranather Swodesh-chinta (2010), Tora Kemon Korey Parli (2010), Tao ti ching-er Onubad (2010), Ayn-Adhikar O Birodh O Mimamsa (2010), Nirbachito China Kobita (2010), Ayn-Shobdokosh (2007), On Rights and Remedies, The Road Map to Peace but Nowhere to go.
Justice Rahman was awarded Bangla Academy Prize for Literature in 1984, Ekushey Padak in 2007 and a number of awards from other concerns. He was a Fellow of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh; Fellow of the Bangla Academy; Honorary Bencher, Lincoln’s Inn; and Honorary Fellow, Worcester College of Oxford University.
Justice Habibur Rahman breathed his last in Dhaka on 11 January 2014. n
