Humayun Azad no more

The professor's death is an irreparable loss to the nation, not only because he was a committed teacher, researcher, critic and a prominent literary figure, but also because he was a free spirit taking a bold and clear position against the obscurantists, even when he knew his life was at stake. He was a crusader for liberal values and free thinking.

Indeed, his loss has created a void in the intellectual firmament that will be extremely difficult to fill.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

The Germans have told us that it was a natural death, though we will have to wait for some days before the final report comes. The circumstances abroad in which his end came and the fact that the fundamentalists had been issuing threats against him for a long time have given rise to some speculation over his death. The Bangladesh government and its German counterpart should cooperate and make sure that any seeds of speculation there might be are wiped out and a clear account of the death emerges.

We condole the death of Professor Humayun Azad and express our sympathy for the bereaved family and his innumerable friends and admirers.