Rangpur: The foundation stones of the Shaheed Abu Sayeed Gate and Museum, along with the Shaheed Abu Sayeed Memorial Monument, have been laid at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR). These installations aim to immortalize Abu Sayeed, who was killed in police firing on July 16, 204, during the anti-discrimination student movement.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, two advisers of the interim government, along with Abu Sayeed’s father Md Mokbul Hossain, inaugurated these installations. The advisers present at the ceremony were Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul, Adviser to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, and the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, as well as Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Water Resources, and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The function was attended by UGC Chairman Professor Dr. SMA Fayez, its Member Professor Dr. Tanzimuddin Khan, and Senior Secretary to the Ministry of Education Siddique Jobayer. Vice-chancellor Professor Dr. Md Showkat Ali presided over the function, which was also attended by the Deans of all six faculties of BRUR, Proctor Dr. Md Ferdous Rahman, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rabiul Faisal, teachers, students, and officials.
The installations are being constructed at BRUR to mark the first martyrdom anniversary of Abu Sayeed, the first martyr of the anti-discrimination movement, and to commemorate ‘July Martyrs’ Day-2025′ in honor of his sacrifice. On this day last year, Abu Sayeed, a student of the Department of English at Begum Rokeya University, was martyred after being shot in the chest by police in front of Gate No. 1 of the university.
Following his death, the nationwide movement gained momentum, eventually turning into a mass uprising. This uprising led to the fall of the Awami League regime on August 5 of that year.