National Professor Rafiqul Islam died at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on Tuesday.
He was 87.
The professor breathed his last at about 2:30pm at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, the hospital's duty manager Ashraful Karim said.
Independence Award-winning renowned academician admitted to the high dependency unit of Evercare Hospital in Dhaka after his health condition worsened.
His son Barshan Islam told media that his father was in 'critical condition' and experiencing shortness of breath due to pneumonia.
"Doctors suggested ventilation but the family did not allow it. "He has been given antibiotics. He is a little better now," Barshan said.
Prof Rafiqul, 87, was initially admitted to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University with abdominal pain.
First namaj-e-janaza of Rafiqul Islam will be held at Uttara Sector-10 Mosque around 8:45 pm on Tuesday.
His dead body will be taken to Bangla Academy premises around 1pm tomorrow and will be placed there for one-hour to let his collogues, staff and the people pay their last tribute to the professor.
Around 2pm tomorrow, body of the late professor will be placed at central Shaheed Minar for the people to pay their last respect. His second namaj-e-janaza will be held at Dhaka University's central mosque after Asar prayers.
Later, Professor Rafiqul Islam will be laid to eternal rest at Azimpur graveyard, said his son Barshan Islam.
Meanwhile, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have expressed their profound shock and sorrow at the death of Rafiqul Islam.
Doctors found water had accumulated in his lung. He underwent treatment at the chest diseases department under Dr AKM Mosharraf Hossain's supervision.
The family wanted to take Rafiqul Islam to India but he refused. Barshan said his father was taken to Evercare Hospital four days ago.
Nazrul researcher Professor Rafiqul Islam was the first Nazrul Professor at the Bangla department of Dhaka University and the first director of the Nazrul Research Centre.
A former vice chancellor of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, Rafiqul Islam once served as director general of the Bangla Academy. He was made the National Professor by the government in 2018.
Rafiqul Islam also received Ekushey Padak and Bangla Academy Literary Award for his excellence in the field of academia and culture.
GY/SZA
