Makhan, Abdul Quddus

Makhan, Abdul Quddus (1947-1994) student leader, politician. Born on 1 July 1947 in Brahmanbaria and educated at Brahmanbaria College and Dhaka University Abdul Quddus Makhan was one of those student leaders in early 1970s who spearheaded the resistance movement to Pakistan military regime. He took active part in the six-point programme launched by Bangabandhu sheikh mujibur rahman in 1966.

Abdul Quddus Makhan was the general secretary of the Dhaka University Central Students Union (DUCSU) in 1970. Makhan contributed to the formation of the Swadhin Bangla Kendriya Chhatra Sangram Parishad on 1 March 1971. The other student leaders of the Parishad were Nure Alam Siddiqui, ASM Abdur Rob and Shahjahan Siraj. It was the Swadhin Bangla Kendriya Chhatra Samgram Parishad which gave the collective leadership in the liberation movement until the military crackdown on 25 March 1971.

Abdul Quddus Makhan

Makhan and other leaders of the Parishad hoisted the flag of independence at Dhaka University Arts Faculty Building on 2 March, and on the day following Parishad leaders declared Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the Father of the Nation. Abdul Quddus Makhan was one of the leading student personalities to organise and lead the non-cooperation movement launched in March 1971 by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. On 23 March Makhan and other leaders organised a national flag hoisting ceremony all over the country. He along with other student leaders organised an independence parade at Paltan Maidan on 23 March, hoisted the flag of independence and saluted the flag, and also took salute from the Independence Parade of the Jai Bangla volunteers. Leading the parade, he and other leaders went to Bangabandhu's residence and hoisted the flag of independence on the top of his house.

A valiant freedom fighter in the eastern sector, Abdul Quddus Makhan was one of the organisers of mujib bahini. He was a founder-member of the presidium of the Awami Yuba League (1972). Makhan was elected a member of the Jatiya Sangsad from Brahmanbaria in 1973. He was a member of the Awami League central working committee (1992-1994). Abdul Quddus Makhan died on 10 February 1994. [Mir Farjana Sharmin]