Meher Ali

Meher Ali (1 January 1941 - 17 May 1971) was a politician and community leader from Netrokona, East Pakistan, known for his local leadership during the Bengali nationalist movements in East Pakistan and his assassination at the onset of Bangladesh liberation war.^[1][2][3]

Meher Ali
Born	(1941-01-01)1 January 1941 Netrokona,
Died	17 May 1971(1971-05-17) (aged 30)
Nationality	Bangladeshi
Education	Bachelor of Science (Soil Science)
Alma mater	University of Dhaka
Occupation(s)	Soil Scientist, Businessman, Politician (East Pakistan Awami League)

Early life

Meher Ali was born on 1 January 1941 at Netrakona Sadar Upazila in Netrokona District of the then British India (now Bangladesh) to Md Akter Ali and Musammat Tulajan Bibi.^[1]

Ali went to Anjuman Adarsha Government High School,^[4] Datta High school and Netrakona Govt College for secondary and higher secondary education respectively. He received a Bachelor of Science (soil science) degree from University of Dhaka.^[5]

Political career

Meher Ali was the founding president of the Netrokona branches of East Pakistan Student League and East Pakistan Labour League. ^{[6][7][8][9][10][11]} Netrakona Branch. ^{[12][13] [14]} He was also elected the labour Secretary of East Pakistan Awami league, Netrakona Branch, a position he held until death in 1971.^[5] Meher Ali led the building of the first Shaheed Minar in the Netrokona area, a monument to the martyrs of Bengali language movement of 1952. ^[15] He also founded two youth organizations-- Kochikachar Mela and Jubojagoron samiti, which played vital roles in the organization of protests in Netrokona during 1969 East Pakistan mass uprising.^[6]

Bangladesh Liberation war and assassination

At the onset of Bangladesh liberation war in 1971, Meher Ali helped organize a local resistance group (Muktisangram Parishad). The group set up a temporary camp at Meher Ali's father-in-law's residence at Dugnai Village, Moddhonogor Thana, which was used by Mukti bahini for recruitment and shelter.^{[16][17][18] [1][19] [20][21] [22][23]} On 17 April 1971, Meher Ali was abducted from the camp and was later executed in Maheshkhola by the collaborators of Pakistan army.^[12][24][25]

Legacy

The government of Bangladesh named "Muktijuddah Meher Ali Road" in Netrakona Sadar Upojilla in commemoration of his contribution to the Bangali nationalist movement in Pakistan and his sacrifice in the liberation war.^[6]

References

1. Bhuiyan, Md Akikur Reza (2021). Muktijuddaher Smritti Kotha (in Bengali). Dhaka: Anirban Printing and Publications. pp. 2–18.
2. Uddin, Hadis (2021). Ashomapta Golpa (in Bengali). Dhaka: Anirban Printing and Publications.
3. Talukder, Nurul Amin (2021). Ashomapta Golpa (in Bengali). Dhaka: Anirban Printing and Publications.
4. Ahmed, Bhasha Sainik Azim Uddin (2021). Ashampta Golpa. Dhaka: Anirban Printing and Publications. pp. 1–2.
5. Nuri, Sanaullah (25 June 1994). "Memorial discussion on Bir Muktijudha Meher Ali in Netrakona". The daily Dinkal. p. 6.
6. Sarker, Nani Gopal (28 October 2021). "Agni Juger Surjay Sainik: Bir Muktijudha Meher Ali". The Bijoy Akttor. pp. 8–15.
7. Rahman, Golam Arshadur (1997). Muktisangrame Netrakona (in Bengali). Dhaka.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
8. Shamsusjuha, Shamsusjuha (25 June 1994). "Memorial Discussion on Bir Muktijudha Meher Ali". The Daily Dinkal. p. 6.
9. Haque, Muzzammel (6 April 1994). "Memorial Discussion on Bir Muktijudha Meher Ali". Shoronika. 1: 2.
10. owahed, Abdul (6 April 1994). "Memorial Discussion on Bir Muktijudha Meher Ali". Shoronika. 1: 2.
11. sarkar, Ashraf Ali (23 May 2005). "Memorial Discussion on Bir Muktijudha Meher Ali". The Daily Ittefaq.
12. Khan, Ashraf Ali Khan Khoshru (23 May 2005). "Memorial discussion on Bir Muktijudha Meher Ali". The Daily Ittefaq. p. 8.
13. Khan, Fazlur Rahman Khan (25 June 1994). "Memorial Discussion on Bir Muktijudha Meher Ali". The Daily Dinkal. p. 6.
14. Kader, A K Fazlul Kader (25 June 1994). "Memorial Discussion on Bir Muktijudha Meher Ali". The Daily Dinkal. p. 6.
15. Babul, Gaotom (2008). Netrakonar Shahid Minarer Itikotha (in Bengali). Netrakona: Orthonaitik and Manobik unnayan sangstha(Omas). p. 44.
16. Chowdhury, Khalekdad (1985). Shatabdir Dui Diganta (in Bengali). Dhaka.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
17. Momeen, Abdul Momeen (25 June 1994). "Memorial Discussion on Bir Muktijudha Meher Ali". The Daily Dinkal. p. 6.
18. Ahmed, Sadir Uddin (18 May 2005). "Memorial Discussion on Bir Muktijudha Meher Ali". The Daily Samachar.
19. Khan, Motiur Rahman (18 May 2005). "Memorial Discussion on Bir Muktijudha Meher Ali". The Daily Samachar.
20. Chowdhury, Haider Jahan (2014). Paush Mela 2014 Sharonika (in Bengali). Netrakona: Paush Mela 2014 Udjapon Committee.
21. Rahman, Anisur (18 May 2005). "Memorial Discussion on Bir Muktijudha Meher Ali". The Daily Samachar.
22. Kalamia, Islam Uddin (18 May 2005). "Memorial Discussion on Bir Muktijudha Meher Ali". The Daily Samachar.
23. Hussain, Akhlak (1985). Shatabdir Dui Diganta (in Bengali). Dhaka.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
24. Islam, Jinnatul (18 May 2005). "Memorial Discussion on Bir Muktijudha Meher Ali". The Daily Samachar.
25. oares, oares (18 May 2005). "Memorial Discussion on Bir Muktijudha Meher Ali". The Daily Samachar.