Tributes pour in for Manik Mia
The 57th death anniversary of renowned journalist and founding editor of The Daily Ittefaq, Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia, was observed across the country on Monday with due respect and solemnity.
Various programmes, including Quran recitations, milad mahfils, special prayers, floral tributes and remembrance meetings, were organised in Dhaka and his native district of Pirojpur to commemorate the life and
contributions of the eminent journalist, whose role in shaping political consciousness and democratic aspirations in former East Pakistan remains widely acknowledged.
In the morning, family members, admirers, political leaders, and representatives of various social and cultural organisations paid tribute at the grave of Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia at Azimpur Graveyard in Dhaka.
Floral wreaths were laid at the mausoleum, and special prayers and munajat were offered for the eternal peace of his soul.
Among those present were Manik Mia’s second son Anwar Hossain Manju, Editor of The New Nation Md Mokarram Hossain, Advisory Editor Syed Tosharaf Ali, Managing Editor Arshad Hosein, Executive Editor Farrukh Khosru, Online Incharge Rudra Mahfuz, Ittefaq Executive Director Muhibul Ahsan and Director Rezaul Ahasan.
Journalists from The New Nation, The Daily Ittefaq, and several other media outlets also attended the programme and paid their respects.
Besides the programmes at Azimpur, discussions highlighting various aspects of his life, journalistic achievements and political influence were held in different parts of the country, including the capital.
Manik Mia is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of Bangladeshi journalism.
Through his fearless reporting and uncompromising editorial stance, he played a pivotal role in articulating the aspirations of the people of East Pakistan during a critical period of political transformation.
Born in 1911 in what is now Bangladesh, he initially worked in government service before entering politics and later journalism.
His association with prominent political leader Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy significantly shaped his political outlook and understanding of public affairs.
His enduring legacy is closely linked to The Daily Ittefaq, which he transformed from a weekly publication into one of the most influential Bengali-language daily newspapers in the 1950s.
Under his leadership, the newspaper emerged as a powerful voice against political discrimination, economic inequality and administrative neglect faced by the people of East Pakistan.
One of the defining features of his journalistic career was his widely read political column written under the pseudonym “Musafir”.
Through these commentaries, he explained complex political and constitutional issues in a language accessible to ordinary readers.
His writings inspired political activism and helped raise public awareness during some of the most turbulent years in the region’s history.
Manik Mia also maintained close ties with the emerging leadership of the autonomy movement, including Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
His editorial support for the historic Six-Point Movement of 1966 contributed significantly to the dissemination of the movement’s objectives among the masses.
The movement later became a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s struggle for self-determination and eventual independence.
Throughout his career, he faced repeated censorship, arrests and restrictions imposed by the Pakistani authorities. The Daily Ittefaq was banned on several occasions, and its printing press was shut down due to its outspoken criticism of government policies. Despite mounting pressure, Manik Mia remained steadfast in defending press freedom and editorial independence.
His unwavering commitment to truth and democratic values earned him widespread respect among journalists, politicians and ordinary citizens alike. Many historians regard him not only as a journalist but also as a key contributor to the political awakening that ultimately paved the way for Bangladesh’s independence.
Manik Mia died of a cardiac arrest in Rawalpindi on 1 June 1969 at the age of 58. His body was later brought back to Dhaka, where he was laid to rest at Azimpur Graveyard. His death prompted an outpouring of grief across East Pakistan, reflecting the profound impact he had on public life.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to journalism and national consciousness, the government posthumously awarded him the Ekushey Padak in 1976. His legacy is also immortalised through Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka, one of the capital’s most prominent thoroughfares.
More than five decades after his passing, Manik Mia continues to be remembered as a fearless journalist, a champion of democratic rights and a pioneering figure whose pen helped shape the political destiny of Bangladesh. His life and work remain a source of inspiration for generations of journalists committed to truth, integrity and public service.
