News Flash
DHAKA, Oct 7, 2025 (BSS) - Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan today said the memorial erected in memory of BUET student Abrar Fahad stands as a lasting symbol of the nation's struggle against aggression and for sovereignty.
"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." he said.
Asif Mahmud, also Adviser to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, was addressing the memorial discussion and inauguration programme of 'Eight Pillars Against Aggression' memorial which was rebuilt and inaugurated today at the Palashi intersection.
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.
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.
The adviser 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."
"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 said.
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 Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, also 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.
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.
