Dhaka: Dhaka University (DU) observed Mourning Day today through various programs in memory of those who lost their lives in the Jagannath Hall incident on October 15, 1985.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the day began with Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan, along with students, teachers, officers, and employees, placing floral wreaths at the Jagannath Hall Memorial at 7:30 am. Following this, a discussion meeting was held at the TV Room of the October Memorial Building in Jagannath Hall with DU VC in the chair.
Pro-VC (Administration) Prof Sayema Haque Bidisha, Treasurer Prof M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Proctor Saifuddin Ahmad, Jagannath Hall provost Debasish Pal, former provosts, deans of various faculties, and provosts of different halls joined the discussion. Teachers, officers, employees, and alumni were also present. DUCSU Vice President (VP) Md. Abu Shadik, its General Secretary (GS) SM Farhad, Jagannath Hall Students’ Union VP Pallab Kumar Barman, its GS Sudipta Pramanik, and DU unit Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahos participated as student representatives. The event was conducted by Acting Registrar Munshi Shams Uddin Ahmad.
Prof. Niaz Ahmad Khan, during his speech, paid homage to the memories of the deceased. He remarked that the tragic event of October 15, 1985, united the entire nation beyond religion, caste, and creed, emphasizing the need to strengthen that bond of unity and spread it across society.
To mark the day, black flags were hoisted at all halls, hostels, and key university buildings while the university flag was kept at half-mast. Teachers, students, and staff wore black badges to observe the mourning day. Prayer sessions were held at the Jagannath Hall premises by Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian communities for the peace of the departed souls.
The Jagannath Hall administration also arranged an exhibition of photographs and documents related to the 1985 tragedy. Special munajat was offered at the University Central Mosque (MasjidulJami’a) and all hall mosques after Maghrib prayers, seeking eternal peace for the departed souls.
On the night of October 15 in 1985, 40 people, including 26 students, 14 guests, and staff, died due to the collapse of a rooftop of the hall. Since then, the university has observed Mourning Day every year in memory of those deceased.