Muhammad Abdul Hai, the Academic Organiser: From Pakistan to Bangladesh

Muhammad Abdul Hai (1919-1969) is a prominent name in the academic aura of Bangladesh. He is known for many things, including research and practice in phonetics, writing essays and books on literature and culture, editing journals and books, being active in cultural activities, and being an intellectual. Abdul Hai’s activity spanned almost the entire period of the Pakistan era. In the forties before and even after the establishment of Pakistan, he supported the idea of Pakistan. Under the Pakistan state structure, he worked on Bengali language and literature. He also tried to elevate the Bengali language and literature to a higher level in the academic sphere through collective efforts. The collective practice of Bengali language and literature during the Pakistan era also has a cultural and political significance. The natural and protestant role of the Bengali language and literature is one of the elements that are considered important in the context of the establishment of Bangladesh as an independent and sovereign state in 1971. In the academic arena, Abdul Hai played a leading role in this context. On the one hand, support for the idea of Pakistan, holding on to the state of Pakistan; and on the other, lifelong engagement with bengali language and literature, passion forTagore, opposition to various government decisions, Do these issues create a dual situation in Muhammad Abdul Hai, or are they interrelated and interdependent?—The answer to this question is sought in this article.