Special Correspondent: The 43rd death anniversary of Barrister Syed Kamrul Islam Mohammad Salehuddin, founder of Bangladesh Justice Party and a prominent language movement activist, freedom fighter, and parliamentarian, will be observed on Sunday, 24 May 2026.

Salehuddin born on 2 July 1937 in Kashiani, Gopalganj and began his political career as a member of the undivided India Communist Party. He was jailed as a political prisoner for his active role in the Language Movement, arrested in Barishal on 22 February 1952 during a protest against police firing in Dhaka. 

He completed his matriculation from BM Institute, Barishal in 1953, followed by IA in 1956 and BA in 1959. He qualified as a barrister from London’s Inner Temple in 1968 and also served in the British Civil Service. 

During his student years, he served as secretary of Barishal Town Youth League and played a key role in the central politics of the East Pakistan Students’ Union. While in London, he formed the “Pak Youth Federation” and on 7 July 1968 occupied the Pakistan High Commission building to build international support for the non-cooperation movement. That same year, he formed and chaired “The Rights of East Pakistan Defence Front,” and arranged for British MP and Queen’s Counsel Sir Thomas Williams to provide legal assistance to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the Agartala Conspiracy Case. 

Elected as a National Assembly member (MNA) from Faridpur-2 on an Awami League ticket in 1970, he became a key organizer of the Liberation War. On 26 March 1971, he led the replacement of the Pakistani flag with the Bangladesh flag in Faridpur. On 18 March, he raised the flag of independent Bengal in front of Boalmari Dak Bungalow, marking the start of the war in the area. During the war, he supervised several war camps and worked as a political trainer. 

As a member of the Constituent Assembly in 1972, he contributed to drafting the Constitution of Bangladesh and signed it. He was elected MP from Faridpur-3 (now Faridpur-1) as an independent candidate in the 1973 general election and later joined Maulana Bhashani’s NAP, serving as an opposition member in parliament. 

He founded the Bangladesh Justice Party on 21 September 1981. Known for his honesty, fearlessness, and simple lifestyle, he shunned publicity throughout his public life. 

Salehuddin passed away on 24 May 1983 at the then PG Hospital in Dhaka and was buried at Banani Graveyard. 

To preserve his legacy, the “Barrister Syed Kamrul Islam Mohammad Salehuddin Technical College” has been established, and a book titled “Barrister Salehuddin: Jibon O Rajniti” has been published on his life and politics. 

Marking the occasion, various social and political organizations have planned programs. The Bangladesh Justice Party is holding a memorial meeting and doa mahfil in his memory.