Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan has called upon people from all walks of life to fulfill their respective responsibilities with utmost sincerity as a way to repay the sacrifices of the martyrs. According to him, carrying out responsibilities diligently is the minimal yet meaningful way to honor the bloodshed of the nation’s heroes.

The Vice-Chancellor made these remarks while presiding over a discussion held at the Teachers-Students Centre (TSC) auditorium today, Saturday, in observance of Martyred Intellectuals Day.

Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan emphasized that Martyred Intellectuals Day is one of the key events that reflect the identity of the nation’s nationalism and its struggle for independence. He pointed out that without achieving independence, none of the positions, statuses, or privileges that people now hold would have been possible. It is essential, he stated, for the nation to recognize the magnitude of the sacrifices that led to the establishment of Bangladesh.

Highlighting the importance of understanding the significance of events such as the student uprising of 1971, he underscored that knowledge of these historical contexts is vital. The Vice-Chancellor added that the grief and loss felt by the families of the martyrs must be deeply understood, as their suffering continues to this day.

The Vice-Chancellor further noted that Dhaka University has always been vocal against all forms of injustice, oppression, and inequality. He stressed that the university has historically stood by the nation during its most critical junctures. He praised the youth of the present generation for continuing this tradition, stating that the spirit of 1971 still inspires young people to take action for the nation, even in 2024.

Calling for collective efforts to identify the graves of the martyrs of the Liberation War within the university campus, Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan urged for cooperation in preserving the historical significance of these sites. He remarked that just as the martyrs of 1971 gave their lives for the country, the sacrifices of young individuals like Saeed and Mughda in 2024 must also be acknowledged and understood within this continuum of history.

In observance of the day, black flags were hoisted at the Vice-Chancellor's building and other significant structures within the university. Led by Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan, floral wreaths were placed at the central mosque graveyard, the Jagannath Hall memorial, various residential area memorials, and at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Mirpur and Rayer Bazar.

Special prayers were also held at the central mosque of the university and at various hall mosques, seeking eternal peace for the souls of the martyred intellectuals. Prayers were offered in other places of worship as well, in remembrance of their sacrifices.

The discussion session, conducted by University Registrar Munshi Shams Uddin Ahmed, was attended by prominent faculty members and representatives. Among the speakers were Professor Dr. Mohammad Ikramul Haque, Dean of the Faculty of Law; Professor Dr. Azharul Islam Sheikh, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts; Associate Professor Saifuddin Ahmad, University Proctor; and Professor Sajeda Banu, the younger sister of Shaheed Gias Uddin Ahmad.

Other speakers included Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Convener of the Dhaka University Alumni Association’s Coordinating Committee, along with representatives from the Freedom Fighter Institutional Unit Command, Dhaka University Officers’ Association, Third-Class Employees’ Association, Technical Staff Association, Fourth-Class Employees’ Union, and Dhaka University Shaheed Family Welfare Association.

Throughout the event, speakers reflected on the ultimate sacrifices made by the martyrs, urging greater awareness and unity among the people to preserve the values for which the martyrs gave their lives. They emphasized the importance of ensuring that future generations remain connected to the historical struggles of the nation, honoring the sacrifices that paved the way for Bangladesh’s independence.

The Vice-Chancellor concluded by reaffirming Dhaka University’s commitment to standing against injustice and working for the betterment of the nation, as it has done throughout history.