Dhaka, Oct 8 (IANS): Bengali language movement hero Abdul Matin died Wednesday at a hospital in Dhaka after a long illness.

He was undergoing treatment at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University after a stroke Aug 18 and was on life support after his condition deteriorated Oct 3, Xinhua reported.

Matin, who fought for establishing Bangla as state language in 1952, breathed his last at the ICU at around 9.00 a.m. (local time) Wednesday.

Matin, popularly known as Bhasha Matin meaning Matin for state language, played a significant role in the Language Movement in 1952.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed shock at the demise of Matin and conveyed her sincere sympathy to the bereaved family.

In a condolence message, Hasina said the first step for the independence of the country was taken through the Language Movement.

"Abdul Matin was one of the fighters of that historic movement. His death is the end of a living history," the Prime Minister said.

Matin, who was born Dec 3, 1926, entered Dhaka University in 1945 and engaged himself in the Bengali language movement.