Pillars inaugurated at Palashi roundabout in memory of Abrar Fahad
"While projects worth hundreds of crores commemorating figures who played historical roles in establishing fascism faced no public objection, the construction of Abrar Fahad’s memorial pillars sparked widespread criticism and outrage," Adviser Asif Mahmud says
In a tribute to Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) student Abrar Fahad, the Dhaka South City Corporation today (7 October) inaugurated eight pillars in the capital's Palashi Roundabout, near the university, with a total cost of Tk39.59 lakh.
The project, titled "Construction of the Eight Anti-Aggression Pillars at Palashi Roundabout in Memory of Shaheed Abrar Fahad," aims to highlight key principles, including sovereignty, democracy, public defence, communal harmony, economic self-reliance, protection of local industries, agriculture, rivers, forests, ports, cultural independence, and human dignity.
Speaking at the inauguration, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, said, "The content written on the eight pillars is more important than their physical form. True independence for this region will be achieved by implementing these principles."
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Abrar, a second-year student of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Buet, was brutally beaten to death in 2019 by members of the now-banned Buet unit of the Chhatra League for expressing his anti-aggression stance.
'Memorial pillars' cost draws criticism'
Adviser Asif Mahmud has addressed criticism over the construction cost of the eight pillars.
He said, "While projects worth hundreds of crores commemorating figures who played historical roles in establishing fascism faced no public objection, the construction of Abrar Fahad's memorial pillars sparked widespread criticism and outrage."
"Yet, this memorial cost only Tk39.59 lakh, and including road repairs and surrounding renovations, the total expense is Tk85 lakh. Despite this modest cost, we faced considerable backlash, which we believe is politically motivated," the adviser added.
Asif recalled that the first eight pillars at Palashi intersection in 2020 were destroyed within hours of construction. "Even though they were demolished, the pillars lived in the hearts of the Bangladeshi people for six years. We took the initiative to reconstruct them at the same location," he said.
Local Government Division Secretary Md Rezaul Maksud Zahedi, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Md Shahjahan Mia, Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuj Alam, Buet Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Abdul Hasib Chowdhury, National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, Abrar Fahad's father Md Barkat Ullah and brother Abrar Faiyaz also spoke at the event.
