Jhalakati: It took the authorities about 150 years to turn their attention to the conservation of the house where Sher-e-Bangla Abul Kasem Fazlul Huq, the first prime minister of undivided Bengal, was born 142 years ago.

The belated response of the concerned authorities towards the protection of such a place of great historical importance apparently came after NTV had aired a report on 26 October documenting the present dilapidated condition of Fazlul Haq’s maternal grandparents’ house, situated at the village Saturia of Rajapur, Jhalakati.

Khulna division archeological department has already sent a letter to the Jhalakati deputy commissioner’s office requesting that steps be taken in this regard, Jhalakati Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rabindra Sri Baroya said on Thursday.

DC Rabindra said archeological department officials visited the place after issuing the letter that asked the concerned body to submit a detailed report on Fazlul Haq’s birthplace within the shortest possible time.

The letter was signed by Khulna division archeological department’s director Amiruzzaman.

The local people have been demanding the conservation of Fazlul Haq’s house and establishment of a memorial museum there.

AK Fazlul nicknamed as Sher-e-Bangla [Tiger of Bengal] was born on 26 October 1873 at Saturia’s Mian Bari. He was the first elected president of Bengal under British rule. Founder of Krishak Praja Party, he was the man who had moved the historic Lahore Resolution in 1940.

Regarded as one of the pioneering leaders who advocated Bengali nationalism all through his life, his legacy includes the establishment of Bangla Academy, contribution in the creation of Dhaka University, announcing Pahela Baishakh a public holiday are few among many others.

Fazlul was buried on the grounds of the Suhrawardy Udyan on Dhaka University campus after he died on 27 April, 1962.