Abdul Matin

Abdul Matin (; 3 December 1926 – 8 October 2014) was a communist, language activist, and student leader of the Bengali language movement that took place in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) which sought recognition of Bengali as one of the state languages of Pakistan. He was one of the organizers of the movement. His contribution to the movement has been hailed by the other activists and students, as he was popularly known as Bhasha Matin.

Involvement in Language Movement Matin was an active participant in the Bengali Language Movement. On 11 March 1948, he joined student protests against the government's decision not to recognize Bengali as one of the state languages. On 24 March 1948, he attended the convocation ceremony at the University of Dhaka, where Mohammad Ali Jinnah repeated his position on language policy following his speech at Race Course Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan). Matin was also present at the ceremony to receive his degree. When Jinnah repeated his position about language policy, however, Matin stood up at the chair and shouted, No. It can not be. Other students also supported him during that time. In September 1951, at a meeting in the central building of Dhaka University, Matin stated that while there was no objection to Urdu, Bengali should be given equal status. On 11 March 1951, during a rally organized by the East Pakistan Chatra League (Student League) at Dhaka University, he was selected as convener of the Dhaka University Language Action Committee. Khaleque Nawaz Khan, then president of the Chatra League, presided over the meeting. On 30 January 1952, Matin attended another meeting and became a member of the Shorbodolio Rashtrabhasha Kormoporishod (All‑Party State Language Action Committee).

Other political involvements Matin participated in a procession organized by fourth‑class clerks, during which he was arrested and imprisoned for two months. Following his release, the vice chancellor of the University of Dhaka asked him to sign a bond; when he refused, he was suspended for three years. In April 1952, he played a role in the formation of the Students Union and was elected the second president of its East Pakistan unit. In 1954, he was appointed secretary of the Communist Party's Pabna district unit. Three years later, he joined Maulana Bhasani's National Awami Party (NAP)

Death Matin died on 8 October 2014 at Bangladesh Medical University in Dhaka. Reception by Expatriate Bangladeshis (2000): A special reception held on 18 February 2000, in New York City to commemorate the Language Movement. Bangla Academy Fellowship (2001): Conferred on 28 December 2001. Bangladesh National Museum Honor (2002): A commemorative memento for his contributions. 50th Anniversary Reception (2002): Organized by the Bhasha Shainik Sammanona Parishad in Sylhet. Ahmed Sharif Memorial Award (2003) Jatiya Press Club Development Economics Gold Medal (2004) Sher-e-Bangla National Award (2004) Liberation War Gono Parishad Honor (2005) Daily Amader Shomoy Honor (2006) Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) (2008): Conferred by the University of Dhaka during its 44th convocation. Bhashani Memorial Award (2008) Ekushey TV Lifetime Achievement Award Safiuddin Ahmed Memorial Award (2010): Named after the activist and journalist. Dhaka Ratna Honor (2010): Awarded during the 400th-anniversary celebrations of the city of Dhaka. MAPSAS Peace Medal (2010): Awarded by the Human Rights and Environmental Society. Abu Zafar Obaidullah Award (2010) Mahatma Gandhi Peace Award (2010) Daily Kaler Kantho Lifetime Achievement Award (2010)