Bangladesh, July 5 -- Eminent scholar Prof Abul Quasem Fazlul Huq, the president of Bangla Academy and a leading essayist, literary critic and social thinker, has died at the age of 86.

Bangla Academy Director General Mohammad Azam said Prof Huq had been attending a family gathering on Sunday when he suddenly became unwell and was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital.

His son-in-law Anwarul Hasan confirmed the matter.

"While eating, some food got stuck in his throat. There was a medical facility above the restaurant. He was taken there, but the doctor told us he was no longer with us," Anwarul said, adding that the incident occurred around 3:15pm.

His funeral will be held at 1pm at the Dhaka University Central Mosque.

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