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Ahmad Rafiq is a literary and cultural figure. Rabindra's life and literary creations have different dimensions. For this reason Tagore Research Institute awarded him the title of Rabindratattvacharya. Although he is a doctor in his personal life, he has been associated with progressive politics since his student days and has played a unique role as an organizer in the language movement. As a columnist, he has kept the signature of the times. He is the founder of Rabindracharcha Kendra Trust, Fellow of Bangla Academy and Life Member of Bangladesh Asiatic Society. Honorary Murshid interviewed Ahmed Rafiq, recipient of various awards, honors and gold medals.
Anarya Murshid: Cultural conflicts are acutely visible in Bangladesh. What do you think is the reason? Especially in the last few years, the divide became evident when Pahela Boishakh came around. Why is this happening?
Ahmad Rafiq: This part is not today. It was before the liberation war. It started with Rabindra Pratika. Still is, will be. Larger banyan trees need more wind from the storm. Pakistanis are supposed to oppose. Because they considered Rabindranath a Hindu. They proceeded on that basis. They did not know the meaning of the word Brahma. Rabindranath is not a Hindu, but a Brahmin; Still many writers, researchers, writers do not notice it. There is a great difference between the two religions Brahmin and Hinduism. So the Pakistanis tried to cancel Rabindranath. It was their intention to call Rabindranath Hindu and use religious sentiments so that Bengali Muslims could not assimilate with the diversity of his life, his creations.
Anarya Murshid: The Pahela Baishakh that was celebrated at that time was important in the liberation war. How did you turn it into a movement?
Ahmad Rafiq: He has a long history! It is not possible to tell in this short interview. Those who are interested to know will understand only by reading the books written by us. When the Pakistanis were anti-Rabindra, banning Rabindranath songs on the radio, we started Rabindra Sangeet with Ek Baishakhe Surya Udaya at the root of Ramna Ñ Eso O Baishakh Eso Eso… Then Rabindranath's poem was recited which later became a song. Rabindranath had many, many. All of Chayanot, Wahidul Haque, Sanjida Khatun, they were nationalists, and we were Marxists. Among the Marxists were journalist KG Mustafa and many others whose names I do not remember now. There were differences again among the Marxists. Those who were pro-Chinese did not like Rabindranath much. When Rabindranath went to China, the Chinese youth rejected him. Chinese youth opposed him by distributing small leaflets at the reception he was given. So think about where it went. There is a book 'Talks of China'. Writing about the events of China at that time. You will understand if you read.
Anarya Murshid: How true is Rabindranath's opposition to the establishment of Dhaka University?
Ahmad Rafiq: I myself searched the Rabindra Bhavan in Santiniketan. I also searched there where Rabindra Bharati is available. There is no letter anywhere that he opposed the establishment of Dhaka University. In fact, those who are basically anti-Rabindra are the ones who argue about this thing. I was first asked by Zakaria Khan, owner of 'Banglabazar Patrika'. I said that you are a poor person. If you think about it, if Rabindranath had really opposed it, when he was invited in 1926, he was welcomed at Curzon Hall; In the context of all this, can it be said that he opposed the establishment of Dhaka University? There is another great cause which would have been of great honor to us. Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah He was a great man, Rabindranath liked him very much. When Visva Bharati came to be, Rabindranath himself wrote a letter inviting him to be included as a member of the Board of Trustees. But Dhaka University said that if you accept this invitation then the post given by Dhaka University will be closed. From here it can be understood who is against Rabindra. That's all I said. There is no point in spreading unnecessary mudslinging about this matter.
Anarya Murshid: What is the necessity of the Mars procession now?
Ahmad Rafiq: There is a lot of talk about the Mars procession. Talk a lot. I will say to those who raise the issue that Mangal Shobhayatra may be new, Baishakh and the festival of rural Bengal around Baishakh is not new. Mangal Shobhayatra is just one way of citizens celebrating Boishakh. Pro-Chinese communists and pro-Chinese Marxists think that it is Hindu civilization, Hindu culture.
Anarya Murshid: So do radical Islamists.
Ahmad Rafiq: Yes. We have a mess everywhere. From among this mess we have to find out which is glass, which is diamond and which is gold and which is copper. Very difficult to find. We have to do this difficult task using our own knowledge, wisdom and knowledge. You have to study for this. All the books, domestic and foreign, must be read.
