DU observed Mourning Day today through various programme. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Oct 15, 2025 (BSS) - Dhaka University (DU) observed Mourning Day today through various programmes in memory of those who lost their lives in the tragic Jagannath Hall incident on October 15, 1985.

In the morning, Vice-Chancellor(VC) Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan, along with students, teachers, officers, and employees, placed floral wreaths at the Jagannath Hall Memorial at 7.30 am.

Later, 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, provosts of different halls, teachers, officers, employees, and alumni joined the discussion.

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, DU unit Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahos joined the discussion as students' representatives.

Acting Registrar Munshi Shams Uddin Ahmad conducted the event.

Speaking at the discussion, Prof. Niaz Ahmad Khan paid deep homage to the memories of the deceased.

He said, "The tragic event of October 15, 1985, united the entire nation beyond religion, caste, and creed. We must further strengthen that bond of unity and spread it across the 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 mark the mourning day.

Prayer sessions were held in 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 from collapsing a rooftop of the hall.

Since then, the university has observed Mourning Day every year in the memory of those deceased.