Full name: Syed Nazrul Islam
Birth date: 1925
Birth place: Jashodal Dampara, Kishoreganj
Died: November 3, 1975
Death Place: Dhaka Central Jail
Education: University of Dhaka
Occupation: Politician
Political Party: Awami League
Spouse (s): Not Known
Religion: Islam
Zodiac sign: Scorpio
Syed Nazrul Islam was a famous politician and senior Awami League leader. The leader was declared as the Vice President of Bangladesh by the Provisional Government during the liberation war. He was the first acting president of Bangladesh and served the post in the absence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Islam served as the president of Mujibnagar Government from 10 April 1971 to 1972.
Syed Nazrul Islam Early Life:
Syed Nazrul Islam was born in 1925, at Jashodal Dampara, Kishoreganj (then Mymensingh). He was so much talented received degrees in History and Law from the University of Dhaka. Nazrul was active in student politics and leader of Muslim League. He was good in sports eventually played a role as captain in the college cricket and hockey team. Syed joined in the Pakistan movement.
Syed Nazrul Islam Career:
After completing education, Syed Nazrul Islam joined the civil service of Pakistan in 1949. But he resigned from the job in 1951 in pursuing to work as a professor. Then he started teaching profession as a history teacher at the Anandmohan College in Mymensingh and practiced law.
Political Career:
Syed Nazrul Islam’s mainstream political career started when joined the Awami Muslim League and took part in the Language Movement in 1952. He was arrested by Pakistani police for joining the Language Movement. Syed became closer to the party leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and jailed for Six Point Demand Movement. In 1970, he was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan.
Following the arrest of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 25 March night, he escaped to Mujibnagar with some senior party leader and formed the Provisional Government. They proclaimed the independence of Bangladesh inside of the country and beyond the country. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the president and Tajuddin Ahmed was the prime minister of the Provisional Government. He was the Vice President and served as the acting president in the absence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Syed Nazrul Islam played the key role in the liberation war of Bangladesh coordinating the Mukti Bahini, winning Indian support as well as other nations. After getting independence, he was appointed as minister of industries. When Sheikh Mujibur Rahman banned other political parties in 1975 and assumed sweeping power as president he was Vice-Chairman of the BAKSAL.
Death:
After the assassination of Bengali father of nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975, he was confined. On August 23, 1975, Syed was arrested with other Sheikh Mujibur’s loyalists – Tajuddin Ahmad, Qamaruzzaman and Muhammad Mansur Ali by the regime of the new president Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad and imprisoned in the Dhaka Central Jail. On November 3, 1975, he was assassinated brutally under controversial circumstances. He was buried at Banani graveyard. Every year, the day is commemorated as Jail Killing Day across the country with due honor.
Legacy:
The Minister of Public Administration and Member of Parliament Sayed Ashraful Islam is his son. The government established Shahid Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College in Kishoreganj as his honor.