Rangpur: The second four-day Shaheed Abu Sayeed Book Fair-2026, honoring the memory of Abu Sayeed, a student from the 12th batch of the English Department at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR), is scheduled to commence tomorrow. Sayeed became a martyr after being fatally shot during police action while participating in an anti-discrimination student movement on July 16, 2024, in front of the university.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, his death ignited widespread protests across the nation, transforming the student movement into a larger uprising that eventually led to the overthrow of the ruling regime headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled the country on August 5, 2024. The book fair, organized by the university’s administration, will take place at the Independence Memorial Ground on the campus from April 12 to April 15.
Dr Md Moniruzzaman, the convener of the Shaheed Abu Sayeed Book Fair-2026 organizing committee, shared details of the event with reporters following a meeting at the university’s administrative building. The gathering was attended by organizing committee members, students, publishing houses, and representatives from various organizations.
Shaheed Abu Sayeed’s father, Md Maqbul Hossain, will inaugurate the event. BRUR Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Showkat Ali will participate as the chief guest during the opening ceremony. Dr Md Moniruzzaman noted that due to the ongoing energy crisis, the fair will operate from 1:30 pm to 6 pm daily, in line with government instructions, with extended hours from 10 am to 6 pm on April 14 for Pahela Baishakh celebrations.
The fair will feature discussion programs, writer interactions, recitations, book reviews, children’s drawing competitions, and cultural events each day. As expressed by Shamsur Rahman Suman, a student from the Bengali Department and former coordinator of the anti-discrimination movement, the book fair marks the beginning of a cultural journey in the new Bangladesh, forged through the sacrifice of Shaheed Abu Sayeed.