Abu Ubaida, IU:
The authorities of Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia today observed the Martyred Intellectuals Day, paying tribute to the intellectuals killed by Pakistan occupation forces and its allies.
Marking the day, IU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Nakib Muhammad Nasrullah hoisted the national flag at half-mast while Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr M Yeaqub Ali hoisted a black flag in front of the university’s administrative building. Later, the teachers, officials, students and employees brought out a rally, led by the VC, from in front of the administrative building around 10:00am. Meanwhile, Treasurer Professor Dr Jahangir Alam and acting registrar Professor Dr Manjurul Haque were also present there.
After parading through the main roads of the campus, the procession ended in front of the memorial monument where IU authorities, Zia Parishad, UTAB, Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal, Chhatra Union IU unit, residential halls, departments, Islamic University Journalists’ Association, Islamic University Press Club and various cultural organisations placed floral wreaths. Earlier, provosts of all the residential halls hoisted the national flag at half-mast position and black flags atop at their respective halls in the morning.
Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Nakib said, ‘December 14 is one of the most significant and memorable days in the history of the Bangladeshi people and the Bengali nation. We all know that just before independence, the Pakistani occupying forces and their collaborators murdered the intellectuals of Dhaka University and other universities who had worked as the nation’s think tank for freedom. Today, on this day, we remember them. Their sacrifice was made with the dream of establishing an independent, self-reliant, and justice-based Bangladesh. This was their demand, and they worked tirelessly for it.
We believe that in today’s Bangladesh, those who are fighting for democracy and justice in this country, are working to establish the very dreams of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives on December 14.
Therefore, if we truly wish to uphold the spirit of the martyred intellectuals, we must connect it with the spirit of the July revolutionaries. Holding onto this collective consciousness, we remember the martyred intellectuals and pray that Allah accepts whatever contributions they made for the welfare of the nation.’
