Biography Of AFM Ahsanuddin Chowdhury
Judge And The 9th (Civilian) President Of Bangladesh
(1 July, 1915 – 30 August, 2001)
Justice Abul Fazal Mohammad (AFM) Ahsanuddin Chowdhury was a former public servant, judge and the 9th (civilian) President of independent Bangladesh. He served the state only for one year from March 27, 1982 to December 10, 1983. He was appointed by Hossain Mohammad Ershad who was the then army chief of staff and also later Ahsanuddin was succeeded by Ershad himself. Ahsanuddin was preceded by Abdus Sattar who was dismissed by Ershad to be replaced by Ahsanuddin. Born on 1 July 1915 at Mymensingh, Ahsanuddin completed LLB degree from Dhaka University. Therefore, he served as a judge in different sectors for many years throughout his career. At the age of 62, he retired from the profession of judge. He died on 30 August 2001, at the age of 86.
Life of “AFM Ahsanuddin Chowdhury” at a glance
Real Name: Abul Fazal Mohammad Ahsanuddin Chowdhury
Date of Birth: 1 July, 1915
Date of Death: 30 August, 2001
Professions:
President of Bangladesh, from 27 March 1982 to 10 December 1983
Munseef (judge) in Bengal Civil Service (judicial) in 1942
District and session judge in Sylhet, Rangpur and Dhaka
Additional Justice of the Dhaka High Court in 1968
Justice of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in 1973
Chairman of Bangladesh Scouts
Chairman of the management board and trustee board of Dhaka Child Hospital
Chairman of National Foundation of Mental Health
Chairman of the managing committee of Dhaka Law College
Chairman of Anjuman-i-Mufidul Islam
Chairman of Hamdard Bangladesh (waqf) Limited
Chairman of Dhaka High Court mazar committee
Place of Birth: Bokainagar village, Gauripur upazila, Mymensingh district
Place of Death: Dhaka
Education: LL.B. degree from Dhaka University.
Religion: Islam
Native Language: Bangla
Political Party: Jatiya Party
Early life
AFM Ahsanuddin Chowdhury was born on 1 July 1915 at a village named Bokainagar, under Gauripur upazila of the then Bengal Presidency, British India, which is currently the Mymensingh district of independent Bangladesh.
Education
Ahsanuddin had graduated from Dhaka University completing an LLB degree. After graduating, he used his academic knowledge and experiences in his career.
Career
His entire career was based on being a judge at different sectors of the country in different times. At first, in 1942, as a munseef i.e. judge in Bangla, he joined the Bengal Civil Service (judicial). Eventually, in the districts of Sylhet, Rangpur and Dhaka, he had served as a district and session level judge. On 17 December 1968, he was elected by the then President of Pakistan, Field Marshal Ayub Khan, as an Additional Justice of the Dhaka High Court. On 30 January 1974, he was appointed as the Justice of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court. On 1 July 1977, he had to retire from this service of the Supreme Court and all forms of justice related service at the age of 62. At that time, Judges’ retirement age was lowered from 65 to 62 years old by the then President Ziaur Rahman.
Presidency
On 24 March 1982, due to the military coup by General Hussain Mohammad Ershad, an authoritarian military bureaucratic state was created. At that time, initially he stayed out of the spotlight and opted for a civilian president, Justice Ahsanuddin as the state president on 27 March. Ahsanuddin acted as the front man who used to meet with politicians or leaders of political parties and alliances supported by the state. Till 10 December 1983, Ahsanuddin could hold his position as the President because after that, Ershad dismissed him and took over the presidency. Ahsanuddin, as a President did not have much contributions for the country as the period was mainly of Ershad’s regime and Ahsanuddin had to do Ershad’s works.
Contributions
Ahsanuddin was involved with a number of social and welfare organizations. He was the chairman of: Bangladesh Scouts, the management board and trustee board of Dhaka Child Hospital, National Foundation of Mental Health, the managing committee of Dhaka Law College, Anjuman-i-Mufidul Islam (an organization for orphans and the distressed), Hamdard Bangladesh (waqf) Limited (an institution of medicine), and Dhaka High Court Mazar committee. As the chairman, he had played some key roles in the service and development of these organizations.
Death
On 30 August, 2001, Ahsanuddin passed away in Dhaka. He was 86 years old at the time of his death.
Conclusion
Even though there are not many contributions from him as a President, he was still quite popular as a judge. He was well respected by the people as the Justice. His involvement in so many organizations and judicial related institutions show he was a man of good intention.