The founder of the Daily Ittefaq, Tafazzal Hossain Manik Mia, was a fearless journalist. A strong thinker and an uncompromising fighter. Manik Mia is an unforgettable name. This son of the rich soil of Bengal was the lifeblood of the democratic movement. He was considered an uncompromising fighter for the rights of the oppressed masses. He was the brightest star in the history of fearless journalism.
Today is the death anniversary of Tafazzal Hossain Manik Mia. Because of this, his son, politician and renowned journalist Anwar Hossain Manjur, is feeling heavy. He shared this feeling on his page on social media Facebook. His status highlights the background of the 1969 mass uprising, the historical events of the Agartala conspiracy case against Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and his mother's grief.
My heart is heavy. I don't know why. Tomorrow is June 1. My father's death anniversary. I was reading my mother's writing that night. What a terrible experience...
Posted by Anwar Hossain Manju on Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Anwar Hossain Manju wrote on Facebook, 'June 1 is the death anniversary of my father. I was reading my mother's writing that night. What a terrible experience my mother had. The 1969 movement was at its peak. Ayub (the then President of Pakistan) was going to hold a round table dialogue with political leaders. All the leaders of the East and West were present in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Bangabandhu was still imprisoned in the Agartala conspiracy case. But how could the meeting be held without him! Finally, arrangements had to be made to release him and join the meeting. Father asked me to go with him. I took the time to come after a day or two. Father understood that one of our Chhatra League's gatherings was against Ayub. I was then the vice-president of Fazlul Haque Hall of Dhaka University.
Towards the end of the Facebook status, Anwar Hossain Manju said, 'After two days, my father called my mother to Pindi. My father never came back. June 1 is his death anniversary. My heart is so heavy today.'
Ittefaq's editor, founder and East Bengal struggle hero Tafazzal Hossain Manik Mia passed away on June 1, 1969, at the age of 58, in a hotel room in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. His body was brought to East Pakistan by plane the next day. On June 2, 1969, this legendary man passed away at Azimpur Cemetery amidst the tears of millions of lives.
