CoU marks July martyrs with candlelight vigil

Students under the banner of Comilla University Chhatra Shakti held a candlelight vigil and performed protest songs at Comilla University early Saturday to commemorate the martyrs of the July uprising and honour their memory.

The programme was held at the university’s Central Shaheed Minar midnight.Among those present were NCP Joint Chief Coordinator Nabid Nowroz Shah, former central coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and Jubo Shakti President Advocate Tarikul Islam, and Comilla University Chhatra Shakti leaders Araf Bhuiyan, Abrar Fahim, and Naim Bhuiyan, along with other students.

The event began with the lighting of candles in memory of the martyrs, followed by a rendition of the patriotic song “Muktir Mondir Sopan Tole Koto Pran Holo Bolidan.” Participants later chanted slogans including, “Let the spirit of ’71 rise again,” “There is no place for autocracy in Bangladesh,” and “We have shed blood, and we are ready to shed more.”

Speaking at the programme, Advocate Tarikul Islam claimed that although the July uprising began at Dhaka University, students of Comilla University played a significant role in intensifying the movement. He alleged that nationwide participation gained momentum after police opened fire on Comilla University students on July 11.

He further said that the movement, which began on July 1, 2024, was still continuing and would continue until what he described as the establishment of a “reformed Bangladesh.”

Addressing the gathering, Nabid Nowroz Shah urged participants to uphold the ideals and objectives that inspired the July movement in 2024 and to continue working for the country in line with those aspirations.