In a tribute to Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) student Abrar Fahad, who was killed by fascist forces, the Dhaka South City Corporation inaugurated the 'Eight Pillars Against Aggression' at the Palashi intersection in the capital on Tuesday,
The memorial commemorates Abrar Fahad and the martyrs of the July uprising, symbolising the nation's continued struggle against domination, aggression and injustice.
The eight pillars signify: sovereignty; democracy; defence; communal harmony; self-reliance; protection of nature and industry, cultural freedom; and human dignity.
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."
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 criticised double standards in commemorating figures of authoritarian regimes while scrutinising the modest expenditure for Abrar's monument.
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.
MSH
