Humayun Azad, a Bangladeshi author and professor, was attacked by two machete-wielding assailants on the campus of Dhaka University in February 2004. He had begun to receive death threats after the publishing of his latest novel, which fundamentalists called for to be banned. The book, Pak Sar Zamin Sad Bad, took a highly critical perspective against the rising Islamism and religious extremism in Bangladesh. Humayun nearly lost his life to the very state of affairs he was criticizing, but he survived the attack and recovered.

"This time they failed, but do not rule out the possibility that they will not pass up on another opportunity." - Humayun Azad after the attack

Months later, in August, Humayun died on a research trip to Germany at the age of 57. Even after the failed attack on him, he had continued to receive threats on his life, particularly in the days leading up to his departure from Bangladesh. His family called for a full investigation into his death, as Humayun had been healthy before his departure. According to the findings of the official investigation, Humayun died of a heart attack in his sleep, with no reported medical evidence of foul play.

Humayun's son Ananya has followed in the activist footsteps of his father, blogging on issues of liberalism, secularism, and human rights. Also much like his father, he has come under fire from Islamist militants for this advocacy.