Harris Chowdhury, the former political secretary to Begum Khaleda Zia and freedom fighter, is set to be laid to rest with full state honors this December 29, 2023. His daughter, Barrister Samira Tanzin Chowdhury, shared the news, explaining the arrangements made to bring his remains from Dhaka to Sylhet for the final rites.
Chowdhury's remains will be transported by air ambulance from the morgue of Dhaka Medical College Hospital to Sylhet, where his Namaz-e-Janaza will be held at the historic Shahee Eidgah Maidan at 2 PM. Following the prayers, he will be interred at the Shafiqul Haque Chowdhury Memorial Orphanage, founded by his father, located in Kanaighat upazila.
The late political figure, who passed away on September 3, 2021, was buried under the name Professor Mahmudur Rahman after allegations of persecution and threats stemming from his association with the opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Initially, this led to considerable confusion and controversy surrounding his identity.
Following the exhumation of his body ordered by the High Court, DNA testing confirmed his identity as Harris Chowdhury, allowing for the burial to take place as per family wishes. Samira articulated the emotional burden of having her father’s legacy obscured by false narratives over the years. "My father has been repeatedly harassed in false cases, and a systematic haze has been created about his death, which is very painful. He was a valiant Freedom Fighter and a patriot. He was not granted due respect," she stated.
Discrepancies about Chowdhury's death became apparent soon after his passing when doubts were raised about the body interred under the name of Professor Mahmudur Rahman. Legal action was taken, leading to the High Court order issued shortly after his burial to exhume the body for DNA testing to clarify the identity.
On October 21, after the body was excavated from Jamia Khatamunnabiyyin Madrasa graveyard located at Birulia of Savar, DNA samples were collected by Chowdhury's family. Following two weeks of anticipation, results showed positively confirming the remains were, in fact, those of Harris Chowdhury. Jewel Mia, the officer at Savar Model Police Station, confirmed, "The DNA report came back positive and the body was confirmed to be Harris Chowdhury."
Chowdhury's legacy includes not only his political contributions but also his status as a freedom fighter, which is now even more prominently recognized as he involves himself once more publicly through the imminent burial ceremonies. The forthcoming Namaz-e-Janaza symbolizes not only the respect owed to Chowdhury but serves as closure for his family and supporters alike.
For all its challenges, the process surrounding Chowdhury's identity and the events leading up to this moment is reflective of the larger political drama surrounding opposition members within Bangladesh, providing them the reverence and acknowledgment they deserve. This bittersweet resolution allows for his family's quest for dignity and recognition to finally materialize.
On the day of the burial, supporters of Harris Chowdhury are expected to gather to pay their respects, marking the culmination of his struggle and the mystery surrounding his life and death. The ceremony stands as both tribute and reclamation for a figure long shrouded by controversy and misunderstanding. His ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the tribulations faced by prominent political figures within the complex web of Bangladesh's political narratives.
