News Flash
DHAKA, Oct 7, 2025 (BSS) - The legacy of BUET student Abrar Fahad was honoured today as the 'Eight Pillars Against Aggression' memorial was rebuilt and inaugurated today at the Palashi intersection, six years after it was demolished by fascist forces.
The memorial commemorates Abrar Fahad who was beaten to death by banned Chhatra League men in 2019, and the martyrs of the July uprising, symbolizing the nation's continued struggle against domination, aggression and injustice.
Marking Abrar's sixth martyrdom anniversary, the memorial was inaugurated this afternoon by his father, Barkat Ullah, at a programme organised by the Abrar Fahad Smriti Sangsad.
Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md Mahfuj Alam and Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, Adviser to the Ministries of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, and Youth and Sports, graced the programme.
National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhter Hossain, Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) Vice President Md Abu Sadik Kayeem, and Abrar's younger brother Abrar Faiyaj also joined the discussion and inauguration ceremony.
While addressing, Adviser Md Mahfuj Alam highlighted the role of the young generation as the nation's strength.
"Bangladesh's young generation stands as the nation's greatest source of strength and must now prepare to lead the country's next battles-against domination, aggression and all forms of injustice, with a renewed sense of national commitment and moral vision," he said.
He added, "If we truly wish to uphold the ideals for which Abrar and the martyrs of July laid down their lives-if we want to defeat imperialism, aggression and neo-colonial domination-then we must prepare ourselves, our society and our country."
Mahfuj Alam underscored the need for a shift in national thinking-from state-centered politics to social transformation.
"Everyone talks about the state, but no one talks about building society. We must confront the crises within our social fabric, overcome identity politics and rebuild trust through collective work," the adviser added.
"Our truest tribute to the martyrs will be to realize their vision to make the values of sovereignty, democracy and human dignity a living practice," he said.
Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan described the 'Anti-Aggression Monument' as a symbol of Bangladesh's enduring struggle for sovereignty, democracy, and justice - values embodied by Abrar Fahad.
"Although the first monument was demolished within hours of its construction, it remained alive in the hearts of Bangladeshis. For six years, we carried that memory and rebuilt it once again in the same place. Today, it has become a reality," he said.
Shojib Bhuiyan said Abrar continues to inspire Bangladesh's anti-fascist and anti-imperialist movements.
"Even during the July uprising, the sacrifice of each martyr drew strength from Abrar's resistance against aggression," he said.
He recalled that during Abrar's third martyrdom anniversary, he and 24 others were arrested and injured. "We spent more than a month in prison, but that fascist attack only made us stronger and more determined to carry Abrar's ideals within us," he said.
He also criticized double standards in commemorating figures of authoritarian regimes while scrutinizing the modest expenditure for Abrar's monument.
"When we built the Anti-Aggression Monument in memory of Abrar Fahad, the cost was only Tk 39.59 lakh. Including road and renovation works, total spending was Tk 85 lakh. Yet, we faced unwarranted criticism, which is deeply regrettable," he said.
He alleged that such criticism was part of a "political conspiracy" aimed at undermining the July uprising and the memory of anti-fascist heroes.
"Whenever we initiate projects to commemorate the heroes of the July uprising or the anti-fascist struggle, sections of the media and civil society launch baseless reports and obstructions," he said
"This is clearly a political conspiracy - a deliberate effort to obscure the heroes of our struggle. We will remain alert against it and turn these conspiracies into inspiration for our continued fight," he added.
NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen said, "While speaking out against Indian aggression, BUET student Abrar was brutally martyred six years ago by Chhatra League. That is why we named this installation the 'Eight Pillars Against Aggression".
"We believe that the eight pillars will represent eight principles. If we can implement these eight principles, then we will be able to build an aggression-free Bangladesh," he said.
After the inauguration, Abrar Fahad's father, Barkat Ullah said, "I express my gratitude for the construction of the eight pillars. Abrar Fahad was martyred for standing against domination. I urge that the list of those injured and killed in the July uprising be completed soon."
At the same time, the long-promised list of students who were martyred due to torture and ragging in previous years should also be prepared without delay, he added.
The eight pillars signify: sovereignty; democracy; defence; communal harmony; self-reliance; protection of nature and industry, cultural freedom; and human dignity.
On October 7, 2020, on the occasion of Abrar's first death anniversary, a similar memorial was erected at the same spot by Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad. Akhter, then a member of Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, led the inauguration.
However, within 24 hours, the Dhaka South City Corporation demolished the structure.
On October 7, 2019, Chhatra League activists brutally beat Abrar to death at Sher-e-Bangla Hall of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) for speaking up against foreign interference in Bangladesh's internal affairs.
