Ekushey Medal winner journalist and editor of the daily Amar Desh, Dr. Mahmudur Rahman, has said that Shaheed Abu Sayeed has dispelled fear from the hearts of Bengalese with his life.
"By sacrificing his life on July 16, 2024, Abu Sayeed has become a symbol of revolution not only in Bangladesh but also in the entire world. With his life, he created the necessary environment to build a fascism-free Bangladesh," he said.
Rahman said this while speaking as the chief guest at the closing day discussion of the five-day Shaheed Abu Sayeed Book Fair at the Independence Memorial Square of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) on Saturday afternoon.
He said that students have played a leading role in all revolutions in Bangladesh, starting from the language movement.
"As an inspiration for the revolution, the next generation will wear a shirt with a picture of Abu Sayeed, not 'Che Guevara'," he said.
Rahman said, "Shaheed Abu Sayeed's sacrifice will be worthwhile only if we can build a discrimination-free Bangladesh with the collective efforts of all."
He called on the BRUR authority to take the initiative to conduct research on the July Revolution and all martyrs, including Abu Sayeed, the iconic scene of whom has moved the hearts of the people of Bangladesh.
He said that Abu Sayeed took the police and murderer fascist Hasina to the streets on July 16, and all students joined the movement. Hasina's fascism and the hegemony of India have been defeated by the students forcing her to flee the country.
"We saw the July Revolution move forward through various turns in 36 days. One of the main ones was Abu Sayeed. On July 16, Abu Sayeed stood in front of the police with both hands raised stretching his chest," he said.
Dr Mahmudur Rahman firmly hoped that in the future Bangladesh, there will be no discrimination and there will be democracy and human rights.
BRUR Vice-chancellor Professor Dr Md Showkat Ali presided over the discussion.
In his closing speech, Professor Dr Md Showkat Ali said that in the July Movement last year, students risked their lives to stand against discrimination.
"We got a new Bangladesh in exchange for Abu Sayeed's blood. Martyr Abu Sayeed has shown that there is no place for injustice in Begum Rokeya University. The current administration is working to eliminate all discrimination here," he said.
At the same time, the Vice-chancellor expressed his desire to conduct research activities on the July Uprising and Martyr Abu Sayeed on a large scale at the university.
Inqilab Manch spokesperson Sharif Osman Bin Hadi spoke as a special guest and Steadfast Courier founder and CEO KM Ridwanul Bari Zion spoke as an honored guest.
Convener of the Shahid Abu Sayeed Book Fair Organizing Committee Professor Dr Md Elias Pramanik moderated the discussion while Professor Dr Md Tajul Islam, Director of the Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) delivered a welcome address.
After the discussion, the Vice-chancellor along with the invited guests, visited various stalls of the Shaheed Abu Sayeed Book Fair.
Source: BSS
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
