Syed Nazrul Islam
In the absence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Vice President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Syed Nazrul Islam acted as President from 17 April 1971 till 10 January 1972, i.e., till the return of Bangabanhdu from Pakistan after the liberation of the country. It was Syed Nazrul Islam's unique privilege to usher the infant state of Bangladesh into the comity of nations. He was at the helm of affairs throughout the liberation struggle that culminated in the emergence of Bangladesh on 16 December 1971. As acting President of the Republic, he presided over the first Cabinet meeting at Bangabhaban on 23 December 1971*. He also received a number of dignitaries at Bangabhaban before the return of Sheikh Mujib from Pakistan.
Born in 1925 at Jasodal Dampara village in Kishorganj sadar upazila, Syed Nazrul Islam earned his M. A. degree in History in 1947 and LL. B. in 1953 from DU. He was vice president of Salimullah Muslim Hall Union (1946-47) and athletic secretary of the DU Central Students Union. He competed successfully in the central superior service examination in 1949 and got Taxation Service. After serving for a while in a government job, he joined A. M. College, Mymensingh as a teacher of history. However, he left his college job for politics in 1951. He actively participated in the historic Language Movement. He was elected President of Mymensingh district AL in 1957 and held the post till 1972. Nazrul was senior vice-president of the central committee of AL from 1964-72, and was acting President of AL from 1966-69 following the confinement of Sheikh Mujib during the Six Point Movement. Nazrul Islam was elected to the National Assembly from Mymensingh in 1970 and became Deputy Leader of the AL Parliamentary Party (ALPP). He became a member of the first cabinet of Mujib and held the charge of the Industries Ministry. Nazrul was elected unopposed to the JS from Mymensingh in 1973 and was again made Deputy Leader of ALPP in the Sangshad. With the introduction of one party BAKSAL rule in 1975, he was made Vice President of the Republic. Nazrul Islam was arrested on 23 August 1975 after Mujib's assassination. Confined in Dhaka central jail, he was also assassinated on 3 November 1975.
