2024 mass uprising not over, must be revolutionised: Nahid

The mass uprising of 2024 is not over yet and it has to be revolutionised to establish a discrimination-free society, Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Adviser Md Nahid Islam said today.

"Our government couldn't achieve expected goals in the last two months. If we can't fulfil the logical demands or realise the goal of the mass upsurge, we will stand in the crowd again to realise those through another revolution, if required," he said while speaking at a function organised in celebration of the 16th founding anniversary of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) as the chief guest.

Nahid, also the Adviser of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, urged all to embrace the spirit of the Anti-Discrimination Student-People Movement to reach fruits of the second independence to everyone.

Nahid said although the students gave blood in all struggles of the country and gave direction to the nation, they or the common people didn't get the benefits of those sacrifices later.

"Rather, students have previously had a life of servitude. We don't want to go back to a life of slavery again. Fascist structures must be dismantled in all establishments across the country to reach the fruits of second independence to all," he said.

He said student councils will be introduced in all universities as soon as possible with a new welfare-oriented approach instead of the student politics of violence, looting, torture, terrorism and muscle power developed in the fascist framework of the past.

Referring to Shaheed Abu Sayeed as a heroic fellow fighter, Nahid Islam recalled the time of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and paid respect to the memory of Shaheed Abu Sayeed and all other martyrs.

Despite becoming a victim of discrimination in budgetary allocations, BRUR produced a national hero like Shaheed Abu Sayeed, who has kept his words by sacrificing life, and played a leading role in the movement, he added.

"So, Begum Rokeya University will no longer suffer discrimination in development allocation. I will also try my level best to establish a cyber centre in this university as per demand of the students," he said.

Presided over by BRUR Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Md. Showkat Ali, Prof. Dr Mohammad Tanjimuddin Khan, Member of University Grants Commission and Md Mokbul Hossain, father of the country's first martyred student in the July Student-People Mass Upsurge Shaheed Abu Sayeed addressed the function as special guests.

Deans of all six faculties, an official and an employee, Anti-Discrimination Student Movement organiser student Shamsur Rahman Sumon, student Sabina Yasmin and student Shahriar Sohag, among others, spoke on the occasion.

Professor Dr Mohammad Tanjimuddin Khan said that the public universities of the country are suffering from the unplanned development of the previous government. "I firmly hope that the new leadership will institutionalise the universities in the new Bangladesh," he said.

Md Mokbul Hossain, father of Shaheed Abu Sayeed, demanded punishment of the killers of Shaheed Abu Sayeed at the earliest.

"I want to see a speedy trial of all criminals involved in killing my son Abu Sayeed to make my soul cooler," he said, and urged the BRUR authorities to name gate number one and a residential hall of the university after Shaheed Abu Sayeed.

Besides, scholarships and laptops were given to students of the university and cheques for research projects awarded by UGC to teachers. Three teachers were awarded mementoes for their special contribution to research.

Earlier, a documentary on Shaheed Abu Sayeed in Anti-Discrimination Movement produced by Begum Rokeya University Journalists' Association was screened at the event.

Marking the celebration of the founding anniversary, the BRUR authority chalked out daylong programs, including hoisting of the national flag, inauguration of the main gate of the university, releasing balloons and pigeons, bringing out colourful procession, organising tree plantation programme and dua and milad mehfils.

The day-long programme concluded with a cultural function.