Khoka’s seventh death anniv observed
The seventh death anniversary of freedom fighter and former Dhaka mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka was observed on Wednesday with various programmes and prayers.
Khoka, a former BNP vice-chairman and minister, died on 4 November 2019 at the age of 67 while undergoing treatment at a hospital in New York.
Family members, political colleagues, admirers and well-wishers remembered his contributions to the country and his role in national politics. Various programmes were held to mark the occasion and pray for the eternal peace of his soul.
Born in Dhaka on 12 May 1952, Khoka became involved in politics during his student life. He took part in student movements and anti-autocracy activities during the 1960s.
During the 1971 Liberation War, he fought as a guerrilla fighter and was later awarded the title of Bir Protik in recognition of his contribution to the war.
After independence, Khoka remained active in politics.
He initially joined the National Awami Party (NAP), led by Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani.
He later joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and gradually rose to become president of its Dhaka city unit.
He also held several important positions in the party’s central leadership. Towards the later part of his political career, he served as a BNP vice-chairman.
Khoka was elected a member of parliament from the Sutrapur-Kotwali constituency in the 1991 national election. He subsequently served as state minister for youth and sports in the then BNP government.
He was re-elected in the 1996 parliamentary election and won another term from the same constituency in 2001. During the BNP-led government, he served as minister for fisheries and livestock.
Alongside his national political career, Khoka played a significant role in Dhaka’s city administration.
On 25 April 2002, he was elected mayor of the undivided Dhaka City Corporation (DCC), a position he held for nearly nine years.
During his tenure, he dealt with various civic challenges in the capital, including infrastructure development, road management and the delivery of urban services.
Khoka was also actively involved in promoting the spirit of the Liberation War and developing the country’s sports sector. He was one of the founders of Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra and served as chairman of the governing bodies of Dhaka Wanderers Club and Farashganj Sporting Club.
He also served as general secretary of the Dhaka Metropolitan Football Association and joint general secretary of the Bangladesh Football Federation.
In recognition of his contributions to sports, he received the National Sports Award in 2004.
On 14 May 2014, Khoka travelled to the United States with his wife for medical treatment.
He was diagnosed with cancer there and underwent a prolonged course of treatment.
He died on 4 November 2019 while receiving treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.
Following his death, his body was brought back to Bangladesh. Several namaz-e-janazas were held in Dhaka on 7 November 2019 before he was laid to rest at Jurain Graveyard in the capital.
Seven years after his death, Khoka continues to be remembered for his contributions as a freedom fighter, politician, former minister and mayor of Dhaka.
