Md. Mafiz Uddin Sarker, Rangpur

Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur celebrated the first martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Abu Sayeed, the pioneer of the anti-discrimination student movement, and July Martyrs' Day-2025 with due dignity.

 On the occasion of the day, on Wednesday morning, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Dr. Md. Shawkat Ali, visited the grave of Shaheed Abu Sayeed in Babanpur village of Jafarpara, Pirganj upazila. 

At that time, Shaheed Abu Sayeed's father, brother, fellow soldiers of the July Revolution and injured students, along with teachers from various departments, other students, officers and employees, were present. After the visit to the grave of Shaheed Abu Sayeed, a condolence rally was organized on the campus. With the participation of Shaheed Abu Sayeed's family, teachers, students, officers and employees from various departments, residential halls, offices of the university, the condolence rally passed through Shaheed Abu Sayeed Square at the intersection of the park and then circled the main roads of the campus.

On the occasion of the first death anniversary of Shaheed Abu Sayeed, the foundation stone of Shaheed Abu Sayeed Museum and Street Memory Stamp at Gate No. 1 of the university and Shaheed Abu Sayeed Memorial Monument at the intersection of the park was laid by Shaheed Abu Sayeed's father Md. Maqbul Hossain, Adviser to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Prof Dr. Asif Nazrul and Adviser to the Ministry of Water Resources and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Syeda Rizwana Hasan were present as guests. 

At that time, Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof Dr. S. M. A. Fayez, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Education Siddique Jobayer and UGC Member Prof Dr. Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan along with members of the martyr's family were present.

Then, a discussion meeting was organized at the Independence Memorial Ground on the occasion of July Martyrs' Day. Md. Maqbul Hossain, father of martyr Abu Sayeed, spoke as the chief guest. At that time, he demanded that those responsible for Abu Sayeed's murder be identified and given appropriate punishment. At the discussion meeting, members of the martyrs' family expressed their feelings about the July Movement as special guests.

Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul, Adviser to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, said in his speech that Shaheed Abu Sayeed is the greatest hero of the July Movement. He said that Abu Sayeed's ideals were for truth and justice. Abu Sayeed's immortal sacrifice teaches innocent people to be protesters. Dr. Asif Nazrul said that the trial of Shaheed Abu Sayeed is progressing at full speed and the trial will be completed during the tenure of the current government.

As the guest of honor, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Honorable Advisor to the Ministry of Water Resources and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said, "The bloody streak of Abu Sayeed's self-sacrifice is still indelible in our national memory. His sacrifice was a strong protest against the existing inequality in the state and social structure of Bangladesh." At the time, she also said, the government has taken up various projects for the development of the Rangpur region. The Teesta Master Plan will be finalized from next year.

At the discussion meeting, UGC Chairman Professor Dr. S. M. A. Fayez said, "The sacrifice of martyr Abu Sayeed has become a symbolic source of our nation's self-awakening today. His courage of heart, sharpness of thought and brilliance of leadership were the bells of a renaissance for the student community of the country. History will remember him."

The discussion meeting was chaired by the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Dr. Md. Shawkat Ali, and was also addressed as guests of honor by Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mr. Siddique Jobayer and UGC member, Professor Dr. Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan. Convener of the Shaheed Abu Sayeed Day Celebration Committee, Professor Dr. Md. Tajul Islam, Registrar Dr. Md. Harun-or Rashid, students of Shaheed Abu Sayeed's fellow soldiers, and members of the Shaheed family, among others, spoke.

In the discussion meeting, memorials were presented to the family members of the martyrs of the July Revolution. At this time, the cover of the July memorial published on the occasion of the first martyrdom anniversary of martyr Abu Sayeed was unveiled. Two documentaries on the contribution of martyr Abu Sayeed to the anti-discrimination student movement were screened. In addition, the national flag was kept at half-mast and the black flag was hoisted on the occasion of July Martyrs' Day.

 Various programs including blood donation programs, painting exhibitions, painting competitions, prayers and Milad Mahfil were organized on the occasion of July Martyrs' Day to seek forgiveness for the souls of the July Martyrs.