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A. T. M. Walie Ashraf | |
|---|---|
| Member of Bangladesh Parliament | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 September 1937 Domrakandi, Bancharampur, Brahmanbaria |
| Died | 19 November 1994, [1] Dhaka, Bangladesh CMH Hospital |
| Political party | Bangladesh Nationalist Party |
A. T. M. Walie Ashraf was a Bangladesh Nationalist Party politician and the former Member of Parliament of Brahmanbaria-6. [2] [3]
Born on 8th September 1937, in the village of Domrakandi, Bancharampur, Brahmanbaria, ATM Walie Ashraf was the second child of eight and eldest brother . His father, Atiq Ullah worked for the Railways Ministry and was based initially in Kolkata. His mother, Nurjahan Begum, was the daughter of the local Zamindar. His parents also had four other children who died at childbirth.
ATM Walie Ashraf was an energetic child and he possessed leadership qualities. This was quickly recognized by his maternal uncle or (mama) when he visited his sister’s house in Bancharampur. His mama was the famous Dr. Shamsul Alam of Gouripur. He was a politician. Dr. Shamsul Alam then devoted his life into establishing a school and college at Gouripur and remained a constant influence on the life and philosophy of ATM Walie Ashraf. It was at the age of seven, that ATM Walie Ashraf was plucked from his parents’ home to live with his mama at Gouripur. Until the age of 16 where he matriculated, ATM Walie Ashraf lived on with his maternal mama and his family of three boys.
A T M Walie Ashraf studied at B M College in Barisal. He was then admitted to University of Dhaka at the Department of Bengali.
Pak Students Work Camp Association/Editor of the Mission (Monthly Bulletin)
At Dhaka University, A T M Walie Ashraf was the Secretary General of Pak Students Work Camp Association and the Editor of the Mission, the Monthly Bulletin of the Pak Students Work Camp Association. He was a student of SM Hall, Dhaka University. The Pak Students Work Camp Association was formed on 7th April 1963.
Faqir (Beggars) Samity
Together with young Bengali students, A T M Walie Ashraf led this socio cultural group of going around Bengali expats residences in England, singing traditional songs. After a singing repertoire, dinner would be made by the host and consumed.
Janomot First Bengali Newsweekly published in London 21 February 1969
He played a pivotal role in London during the Bangladesh Independence War in 1971. It was his Bengali newsweekly, Janomot [4] (established in London, 21 February 1969, the first Bengali newspaper printed outside Bangladesh) that motivated Bengalis living in London to fight for Independence. A.T.M. Walie Ashraf was the Founder Editor of Janomot newsweekly which began in his home at 2 Temperley Road, Balham, London. The Janomot Office was later shifted to 80 Hearnville Road, London.
His residence at 2 Temperley Road, London was also the birthplace of the first Bangladesh Biman Office (Bangladesh airlines) in London.
In 60s/70s, A T M Walie Ashraf, Zakaria Ahmed and other Bengalis scared the Pakistani rulers while sitting in London. He spoke about the independence of this country sitting in London. He occupied the Pakistan High Commission building and announced the independence of Bengal. He was the first to take the initiative to save Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the Agartala conspiracy case.In the face of their strong agitation and resistance, Pakistan President Field Marshal Ayub Khan, who was visiting Pakistan, escaped through the back door of the hotel.
Bangladesh Students Action Committee 7 March 1971
In London, the Bangladesh Students Action Committee was pivotal in garnering support of the Bengali expat community and of the international community. Mohammad Hossain Monju was convener of the Students’ Action Committee for the War of Liberation in UK. Nazrul Islam and Khondakar Mosharraf Hossain, Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik (later justice of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh), Minhaj Uddin, were active members of the action committee. It played a very important role in inspiring and coordinating activities of expatriate Bangladeshis for strengthening of liberation publicity and lobbying in the west, especially Europe.
