View source for The Azad

{{short description|Bengali-language newspaper}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox newspaper
| name = The Azad
| image = Mass_uprising_1969_Daily_Azad.jpg
| image_alt = border
| caption = Front page, 21 January 1969
| type = [[Daily newspaper]]
| format = [[Broadsheet]]
| language = Bengali
| foundation = 1936
| founder = [[Mohammad Akram Khan]]
| ceased publication = 1990
| publishing_country = {{ubl|British Raj|India|Pakistan|Bangladesh}}
}}
'''''The Azad''''' ({{langx|bn|আজাদ}}) was a Bengali-language daily newspaper published from 1936 to 1990s. ''The Azad'' became Dhaka's first daily newspaper. The newspaper while based in Dhaka played an important role during the [[Bengali Language Movement]] for its advocacy of Bengali.<ref name=Musa>{{cite news|first=ABM |last=Musa |title=Language movement and the press |newspaper=[[The Independent (Bangladesh)]] |date=22 February 1999}}</ref>
== History ==
The newspaper was founded in [[Kolkata]] on 31 October 1936. The first editor of the daily was [[Maulana Mohammad Akram Khan]]. In its early days, the daily supported the [[All India Muslim League|Muslim League]] in both [[Bengal]] and [[Assam]] languages. In the 1940s, the editor was [[Mohammad Modabber (journalist)|Mohammad Modabber]]; he published ''The Azad'' with his son. Mohammed Sadrul Anam Khan and Nazir Ahmed were also associated during that time. The daily regularly published [[Dhaka]]-based and regional news from reporter Khairul Kabir.
After the [[partition of India]], ''The Azad'' was transferred to [[Dhaka]] on 19 October 1948. It became the first newspaper to move to Dhaka. [[Abul Kalam Shamsuddin]] was nominated editor at that time. Khairul Kabir acted as news editor. [[Mujibur Rahman]] Khan and [[Abu Jafar Shamsuddin]] worked in the editorial section. Soon afterward, the daily became the leading newspaper in [[East Pakistan]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite Banglapedia|article=Azad, The}}</ref>
===Bengali Language Movement===
The publication of ''The Azad'' was prohibited in 1949 when editorial content turned against the government, which responded by prohibiting advertisements in the paper.<ref name=":1" /> ''The Azad'' supported the [[Bengali language movement|Bengali Language Movement]] and defied the government's threats. When the [[Bengali Language Movement#21 February|killing of February 21]] took place, ''The Azad'' released a special edition on 22 February. The editor of the newspaper, Abul Kalam Shamsuddin, who was also member of the [[East Pakistan Legislative Assembly|Legislative Assembly]] resigned from the assembly in protest.<ref name=":1" />
Despite being a [[right wing]] newspaper which previously supported the [[Muslim League (Pakistan)|Muslim League]], it published week-long investigative reports on the [[Bengali Language Movement#21 February|incidents of February 21]].<ref name=":0">{{cite news|last1=Yusuf|first1=Ananta|title=STORY OF THE BANGLA PRESS|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/the-star/cover-story/story-the-bangla-press-3161|accessdate=1 September 2016|newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]|location=Bangladesh|date=20 February 2015}}</ref> However after 1 March 1952, they succumbed to government pressure and could not remain impartial.<ref>[[Bashir Al Helal|Al Helal, Bashir]], Bhasha Andoloner Itihas. pp-513</ref>{{additional citation needed|date=September 2016}} During the autocratic regime of General [[Ayub Khan (Field Marshal)|Ayub Khan]], the daily again stood up under the leadership of Akram Khan's youngest son, [[Mohammed Quamrul Anam Khan]] to protest against corruption and unjust rule. It also played an important role in the [[Mass Upsurge Day|toppling of the Ayub Khan government]] and the [[Agartala Conspiracy Case]].<ref name=":1" />
===Decline===
The daily quickly lost its appeal after [[Maulana Mohammad Akram Khan]] died and ownership controversies arose. It lost readership from competition with [[The Daily Ittefaq|Ittefaq]] which became increasingly popular.<ref name=":0" /> After the [[independence of Bangladesh]], the daily lost government financial aid. Later, the daily was given to its legal owner and managing director, Mohammad Quamrul Anam Khan to be run under private administration. Due to lack of financial support and government policies, ''The Azad'' was shut down in 1990.<ref name=":1" />
== See also ==
*[[List of newspapers in Bangladesh]]
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Language Movement}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Azad, The}}
[[Category:1936 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Defunct newspapers published in Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Defunct newspapers published in India]]
[[Category:Newspapers published in Kolkata]]
[[Category:Newspapers established in 1936]]
[[Category:Publications disestablished in 1990]]
[[Category:Newspapers published in Dhaka]]
[[Category:Bengali-language newspapers published in Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Daily newspapers published in Bangladesh]]