Staff Reporter :
Today marks the 56th death anniversary of Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia, the fearless and iconic journalist who played a pivotal role in Bangladesh’s nationalist movement.
A towering figure in the history of Bengali journalism, Manik Mia passed away on 1 June 1969 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, at the age of 58.
Manik Mia was the founding editor of The Daily Ittefaq, which under his leadership became a powerful voice for the rights of the people and a symbol of resistance against the Pakistani regime.
His unwavering commitment to journalism as a tool for social and political liberation earned him widespread respect, and he came to be known across Bengal as the “fearless journalist”.
To commemorate his legacy, various political and social organisations have arranged memorial events today. A doa mahfil will be held at his gravesite in Azimpur Graveyard in the capital at 11.00 a.m. attended by family members, admirers, and members of the public.
Additional doa and milad mahfils will take place at the Manik Mia Foundation office in Ittefaq Bhaban and at the Daily Ittefaq office after Asr prayers, with participation from journalists and staff of The New Nation.
Manik Mia’s journalism was rooted in integrity, driven by his belief in justice and the people’s right to self-determination.
Despite his political awareness, he never pursued political office or personal gain. This allowed him to speak the truth with moral clarity, even in the face of imprisonment, censorship, and persecution.
Born in 1911 in Bhandaria, Pirojpur, he was raised by his father Moslem Uddin Miah after losing his mother in childhood. He began his education at East Bhandaria Model Primary School, later completing his matriculation with distinction from Pirojpur District Government High School.
In 1935, he earned a B.A. with distinction from Barisal BM College and started his career at the Pirojpur District Civil Court. He married Mazeda Begum in 1937.
In 1947, Manik Mia joined the Daily Ittehad in Kolkata under Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy.
After the paper ceased publication in 1948, he relocated to Dhaka and became associated with the Weekly Ittefaq, which was transformed into a daily newspaper in 1953 under his leadership.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, The Daily Ittefaq played a key role in mobilising public opinion against the Ayub Khan regime. Manik Mia was arrested multiple times, and his publications-including Dhaka Times and Purbani-were shut down during military crackdowns.
However, public pressure eventually forced the government to lift the ban on The Daily Ittefaq, which resumed publication on 11 February 1969.
He also served as the founding president of the Riot Prevention Committee formed in Dhaka in 1964, as communal unrest spread from Kashmir.
His powerful political columns-including Rajnoitik Chalakali (Political Deception), Rajnoitik Manch (Political Stage), and Natyamanch (Theatrical Stage)-inspired a generation and helped steer the Bengali nationalist cause toward independence.
On 26 May 1969, he travelled to Rawalpindi for official work, where he died a few days later on 1 June. His legacy as a courageous journalist who stood firm against tyranny continues to inspire generations in Bangladesh.
