Noor Hossain

Early life Hossain's ancestral home on his father's side was in the village of Jhatibunia, which is located in Mathbaria Upazila, Pirojpur District. His family moved to 79/1 Banagram Road, Dhaka after the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. Noor Hossain attended Radhasundari Primary School, which was also on Banagram Road. He was admitted to a motor driving school and received training in driving like his father. He served as a leader of the Bangladesh Awami Jubo League, the youth organisation of the Bangladesh Awami League. He was widely regarded as embodying the struggles of the country’s ordinary citizens and has since become a notable public symbol in Bangladesh.

Hossain is now associated in Bangladesh with the anti-autocracy and pro-democracy movement. At the time he was shot, his body carried several slogans in white paint. He wore the slogan "Down with autocracy" (Shairachar nipat jak) on his chest, and on his back, he had written "Let Democracy Be Free" (Ganatantra mukti pak). His death raised opposition sentiment directed against the Ershad government.

Ershad was forced out of office on December 6, 1990 as a result of the mass movement that grew from the Dhaka Siege. Ershad's Jatiya Party became part of the Awami League coalition after its victory in the June 1996 general election.

Noor Hossain and the square remained significant for protesters after Hossain's death in 1987 and Ershad's removal in 1990. In 1993, the Awami League led protesters to the square on the occasion of the November 10 anniversary against the BNP government which also provoked a reaction from the police.

In 1996, Ershad officially apologised for Hossain's death before parliament and also to Hossain's father. Ershad maintained his apology but also criticised the opposition for using him as a symbol against his government. In 2012, he said, "You (the opposition) came up with dead bodies as they were needed to spark demonstrations." His Jatiya Party does recognise November 10th but as "Democracy Day" (Ganatantra Dibash).

Accounts and reactions

Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given her own account of Hossain's death: "I remember what happened on that day. Noor Hossain was standing beside me when we took out our procession. I called him and told him they would kill him for what he had inscribed on his chest. Then he brought his head near the window of my car and said, 'Sister, you just bless me. I will sacrifice my life to free democracy."

Hasina also said, "Bangladesh got back the rights to vote and food in exchange of Shaheed Nur Hossain’s supreme sacrifice."

Marium Bibi, Hossain's mother, has most recently said, "I still don’t see anything for which my son died."

In popular culture The event of his death is honoured each year as cultural and political organisations sponsor special programs for observance the day. The day is officially commemorated as Shohid Noor Hossain Day in Bangladesh.

A postage stamp was issued by Bangladesh in honour of his martyrdom.

A fictional character named "Nur Hossain" appears in Neamat Imam's novel The Black Coat.

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