AMONG the persons who played a pivotal role in shaping the foundation of the birth of Bangladesh as a democratic country, Manik Mia’s role as editor and columnist by general acclaim was most prominent and selflessly courageous. His 46th death anniversary today reminds us of his people’s journalism and personal suffering for motivating the people about their rights against injustices under undemocratic and exploitative rule of Pakistan days. Mr Tofazzal Hossain, popularly known as Manik Mia, used to write his political column under the pen name ‘Musafir’. He was seen as the intellectual guide and philosopher of the then Awami League.
Although he was a founder member of Awami League and a very close follower of Mr H.S. Suhrawardy, the founder of Awami League, Manik Mia believed in the power of journalism as a fourth estate to ensure good governance for justice and human rights to remain protected. He was a prolific columnist for infusing mass awareness. Manik Mia’s conviction in the power of a free press arose from his belief that a chained press symbolizes a chained people.
To set a good example of independence of journalists for independent journalism, Manik Mia resigned from Awami League. The point he made was that a journalist cannot be a party activist if he values his freedom as a journalist.
Manik Mia was anxious to make even the ordinary people conscious of their democratic rights and that is why he used people’s simple language in his writings. He is known for using common man’s language. A new kind of journalism.
His fight for democracy was the fight against autocracy. He suffered imprisonment, faced military trial under martial law but he remained undaunted and unbowed. Among the journalists he was their Manik Bhai.
Manik Mia was not only the founder of the Daily Ittefaq, he started The New Nation feeling the need of an independent English newspaper in those struggling days of the people in Pakistan.
In recognition of Manik Mia’s contribution to motivating the people for democracy resulting in the creation of independent Bangladesh after his death, Bangabandhu named the largest road in front of the Parliament after his name. To Bangabandhu, he was very dear Manik Bhai. It is the shining tribute to Manik Mia for his brave role in providing courage for the people to be mobilized for realisation of their democratic rights in a free country.
Had Manik Mia been alive today he surely would have been very proud for the attainment of Bangladesh as an independent country on the basis of expressed people’s dream of democracy. But later developments in free Bangladesh would have also been utterly painful to him. Especially to find journalists joining as party activists supporting the government ownership of the newspapers. Though the one-party system introduced in 1975 did not continue long, the journalists continued to be party activists and are now divided as pro-Awami League and pro-BNP journalists. Nothing could be sadder to Manik Mia because he had so much faith in the role of fellow journalists as a force of the people on the side of the people.
Democracy itself is in dire crisis. The politics has become intolerant and full of violence. Disunity among the people is openly encouraged. Such an image of Bangladesh will surely change. Bangladesh was brought into existence by the people and the people have the determination to save Bangladesh as a democratic country to enjoy the democratic rights. But the present situation of deep crisis for democracy and the journalists divided and fighting among themselves as party activists in search of self-interest would have made Manik Mia very unhappy if he were alive today.
Although he was a founder member of Awami League and a very close follower of Mr H.S. Suhrawardy, the founder of Awami League, Manik Mia believed in the power of journalism as a fourth estate to ensure good governance for justice and human rights to remain protected. He was a prolific columnist for infusing mass awareness. Manik Mia’s conviction in the power of a free press arose from his belief that a chained press symbolizes a chained people.
To set a good example of independence of journalists for independent journalism, Manik Mia resigned from Awami League. The point he made was that a journalist cannot be a party activist if he values his freedom as a journalist.
Manik Mia was anxious to make even the ordinary people conscious of their democratic rights and that is why he used people’s simple language in his writings. He is known for using common man’s language. A new kind of journalism.
His fight for democracy was the fight against autocracy. He suffered imprisonment, faced military trial under martial law but he remained undaunted and unbowed. Among the journalists he was their Manik Bhai.
Manik Mia was not only the founder of the Daily Ittefaq, he started The New Nation feeling the need of an independent English newspaper in those struggling days of the people in Pakistan.
In recognition of Manik Mia’s contribution to motivating the people for democracy resulting in the creation of independent Bangladesh after his death, Bangabandhu named the largest road in front of the Parliament after his name. To Bangabandhu, he was very dear Manik Bhai. It is the shining tribute to Manik Mia for his brave role in providing courage for the people to be mobilized for realisation of their democratic rights in a free country.
Had Manik Mia been alive today he surely would have been very proud for the attainment of Bangladesh as an independent country on the basis of expressed people’s dream of democracy. But later developments in free Bangladesh would have also been utterly painful to him. Especially to find journalists joining as party activists supporting the government ownership of the newspapers. Though the one-party system introduced in 1975 did not continue long, the journalists continued to be party activists and are now divided as pro-Awami League and pro-BNP journalists. Nothing could be sadder to Manik Mia because he had so much faith in the role of fellow journalists as a force of the people on the side of the people.
Democracy itself is in dire crisis. The politics has become intolerant and full of violence. Disunity among the people is openly encouraged. Such an image of Bangladesh will surely change. Bangladesh was brought into existence by the people and the people have the determination to save Bangladesh as a democratic country to enjoy the democratic rights. But the present situation of deep crisis for democracy and the journalists divided and fighting among themselves as party activists in search of self-interest would have made Manik Mia very unhappy if he were alive today.
