Rangpur: Adviser to the Ministry of Water Resources and Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, has emphasized that martyrs like Abu Sayeed serve as daily inspirations. “The ideals for which martyr Abu Sayeed and his comrades laid down lives should not only be remembered, but should be our inspiration. Young generation should dedicate themselves to the country’s welfare on the path of humanity, courage and justice,” she stated during a discussion at the Independence Memorial Square of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) to commemorate the first martyrdom anniversary of Abu Sayeed and ‘July Martyrs’ Day-2025′.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rizwana Hasan highlighted the courage of martyred Abu Sayeed in the face of fear, describing his death as the beginning of a revolution that underscores the necessity of both protest and social resistance for change. She criticized the current regime for prioritizing violence against innocent people over addressing corruption and crime.
Rizwana expressed concerns about the legal system’s failure to confront threats to law, order, and peace, emphasizing the need for societal resistance against such elements. She lamented the failure of law enforcement to protect the righteous and instead sheltering wrongdoers.
Reflecting on the legacy of martyrs like Abu Sayeed, Yamin, and Mugdho, Rizwana asserted that they were pioneers in dismantling the culture of fear and challenging fascism. She expressed hope for eradicating crime through the establishment of an anti-discriminatory society and justice.
Regarding the Teesta Master Plan, Rizwana acknowledged the complexity of managing a river as challenging as the Teesta. She highlighted that an agreement was previously reached with the Chinese government but was shelved. The current government revisited the plan, intending to implement it with a budget of TK 12000 crore, involving both domestic and Chinese funding over a ten-year period.
Rizwana stated that the plan has been sent to the Planning Commission, which forwarded it to the Economic Relations Division (ERD) with no objections. The ERD has since sent it to China, and expert design is underway. The agreement is expected to be finalized by December, with work commencing in January 2026.
The discussion was chaired by BRUR Vice-chancellor Professor Dr. Md Showkat Ali, with Md Mokbul Hossain, father of shaheed Abu Sayeed, as the chief guest. The event was also attended by relatives of the martyrs of Rangpur district, and several notable figures including Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul, Professor Dr. SMA Faiz, Professor Dr. Tanzimuddin Khan, and Senior Secretary to the Ministry of Education Siddique Jobayer.