Prominent Chittagong physician and cultural activist Chandan Das dies

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Dr. Chandan Das, a distinguished pediatrician, leftist political activist, and a foundational figure in Chittagong’s progressive cultural movement, died Friday morning at his residence in the city’s Patharghata area. He was 74. According to family members, the cause of death was heart failure.

Born in 1952 in the Satkania upazila of Chittagong, Dr. Das began his lifelong commitment to leftist activism during his student years. He was involved with the Chhatra Union while studying at Rangamati College and later served as a student leader at Chittagong Medical College during the 1970s. He also held the role of cultural secretary for the Chittagong district branch of the student organization.

Dr. Das was a founding member of the Chittagong chapter of Udichi, one of the country’s most prominent cultural organizations. At the time of his death, he was serving as the acting president of the Udichi Chittagong District Council, having also served multiple terms as a vice president for the central committee. Beyond his cultural leadership, he remained a stalwart of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), serving as a member of its Chittagong district committee secretariat.

His influence extended to numerous civil movements, most notably as the member secretary of the Ganojagaran Mancha in Chittagong, which campaigned for the trial of war criminals. Furthermore, he served as the former general secretary of the Rabindra Sangeet Sammilani Parishad and as a vice president of the CRB New Year Celebration Council. Parallel to his political and cultural pursuits, he led the Chittagong chapter of Doctors for Health and Environment until his passing.

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The news of his death has cast a shadow of mourning over the political and cultural communities of Chittagong. He leaves behind his wife, a son, and a daughter.

Public tributes are scheduled for Saturday, with his remains to be placed at the CPB Chittagong district office at 10 a.m., followed by a second viewing at the Azadi Chattar beneath the Udichi office at Cheragi Pahar at 11 a.m. Family members stated that funeral arrangements will be finalized following the arrival of his children from abroad.