Nur Hossain
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Nur Hossain (Bangla:নূর হোসেন) (born 1961-died November 10, 1987) is perhaps the most widely known martyr in the movement in Bangladesh against the dictatorship of General Hossain Mohammad Ershad. Neither well-off nor highly educated, Nur Hossain embodied the struggle of common people of the country.
Nur Hossain was born in Narinda, Dhaka, in 1961. His father was an autorickshaw driver. Hossain had to quit school while in the eighth grade and got training as a motor driver. He was an activist of the opposition party Awami League.
On November 10, 1987, during the Dhaka Blockade program, Nur Hossain painted his chest and back with the slogans স্বৈরাচার নিপাত যাক, গণতন্ত্র মুক্তি পাক (transliterated as Sairachar nipat jak, Ganatantra mukti pak, translation: Down with autocracy, let democracy be established). He was shot dead by the police. A photograph of Nur Hossain showing his back taken shortly before his death, has become an important icon of the struggle for democracy in Bangladesh. Mass movements caused Hossain Mohammad Ershad to resign in December, 1990.
