Matia Chowdhury, a veteran politician and presidium member of the Awami League, passed away on Wednesday.
She died around 1:00pmwhile undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.
Evercare Hospital's General Manager, Arif Mahmood, confirmed Matia Chowdhury's passing. He stated that she was brought to the hospital in the morning following a cardiac arrest.
"We immediately began the treatment process, starting with an ECG. We tried everything, but unfortunately, we could not save her. She passed away at 12:57pm," he said.
Matia Chowdhury had a long and distinguished career in politics. She was the Deputy Leader of the House in the 12th Jatiya Sangsad.
A member of the Jatiya Sangsad representing Sherpur-2 from 2009 to 2024, she also served as the agriculture minister of Bangladesh during the tenures of Sheikh Hasina's government from 1996 to 2001 and again from 2009 to 2019.
She was widely respected for her commitment to public service and her fiery speeches, earning her the nickname "Agni Kanya" or "Girl of Fire."
Born on June 30, 1942, in Nazirpur of Pirojpur, Matia Chowdhury was the daughter of police officer Mohiuddin Ahmed Chowdhury. She completed her HSC from Dhaka Eden College and later graduated from the University of Dhaka.
Matia's political career began in her student years, actively participating in movements against the Ayub regime and the Education Commission of 1962. She was elected Vice-President of the Dhaka Eden Girls College Students' Union in 1963 and served as General Secretary of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) from 1964 to 1965.
Initially aligned with the left-wing National Awami Party, Matia later became one of the senior leaders of the Awami League. She was the president of the East Pakistan Students' Union in 1965-66 and played a key role in organizing anti-Ayub protests. For her activism, she was detained in jail multiple times between 1967 and 1969, being released during the mass upsurge of 1969.
Matia Chowdhury was married to Bazlur Rahman, editor of The Sangbad, one of the oldest Bengali-language dailies, who passed away in 2008. Her legacy as a trailbla্রing leader in Bangladesh’s political landscape will be remembered for years to come.