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Today, November 19, marks the somber 30th death anniversary of ATM Walie Ashraf, a name that should resonate louder in the annals of both Bangladeshi and British-Bangladeshi history. Far more than just a journalist, Walie Ashraf was a valiant freedom fighter, a dedicated social worker, a politician, and a true pioneer who gave the nascent Bangladeshi community in the UK its indispensable, enduring voice. He is, regrettably, a forgotten hero whose immense contributions laid the very groundwork for the thriving diaspora we see today.
Walie Ashraf's legacy is intrinsically tied to the world of media and the fight for democracy. An experienced journalist, he notably lent his expertise to the BBC, but his most profound impact came with the founding of the Bangla weekly newspaper, Janomot. Launched in the United Kingdom on February 21, 1969, Walie Ashraf, serving as its founding editor, ensured the paper's birth date was deeply symbolic. It coincided with International Mother Language Day—commemorating the martyrs of the 1952 Bengali language movement—and the powerful 1969 Mass Upsurge in East Pakistan. This timing underscored Janomot's foundational commitment to the ideals of Bengali identity, democracy, and objective news coverage.
The paper quickly became an essential lifeline, connecting the Bengali diaspora to their homeland while informing the community in Britain. Janomot was instrumental in mobilising support for the Liberation War of Bangladesh. During this pivotal time, Walie Ashraf utilized the paper's platform to galvanise the community, exposing the atrocities and championing the cause for an independent Bangladesh—a commitment he also personally upheld as a valiant freedom fighter.
His dedication to democratic aspirations and people's rights never waned, even after independence. A popular political leader who once served as a Member of Parliament for Brahmanbaria-6 constituency, Walie Ashraf was a fearless critic of political excess. He bravely opposed the Mujib regime and the subsequent Bakshal one-party state, defending civil liberties and democratic norms. This unwavering stance on principle came at a great personal cost: his newspaper was banned and his citizenship was revoked, though it was later reinstated after a change in government. His fearless journalism and commitment to freedom make Janomot the first and longest-serving Bengali newspaper published from the UK, a testament to the resilient values established by its founders.
In a move to honour and remember this great soul, Mrs. Mouli S. Walie-Rahman, Walie Ashraf's daughter, contacted the Daily Dazzling Dawn today. She shared her thoughts on the anniversary, hoping to keep the flame of her father's extraordinary life and principles burning bright.
ATM Walie Ashraf’s legacy, established through Janomot—the first and longest-serving Bengali newspaper published from the UK—continues to inspire. Today, the torch of comprehensive reporting and community service is carried forward by publications like the Daily Dazzling Dawn, whose originator and publisher Munzer Ahmed Chowdhury and team uphold the spirit of pioneering journalism that Walie Ashraf so brilliantly established for the British Bangladeshi community.
