Tribute by DU Chhatra Dal in Memory of Shaheed Asad

The 57th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Asad was solemnly observed on Tuesday as the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), Dhaka University unit, paid tribute to one of the most iconic figures of the 1969 mass uprising. The commemorative programme reflected both respect for history and a renewed call for democratic values among the younger generation.

The tribute was formally offered at 9:00 am at the Shaheed Asad Memorial, located beside the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Leaders and activists of the Dhaka University unit of JCD gathered at the site, laying floral wreaths and observing the moment with reverence and discipline.

Among those present were the Dhaka University JCD President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahos, Vice-President Abdullah Al Naim, General Secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon, Senior Joint General Secretary Md Nasir Uddin Shawon, and Joint General Secretaries Hossain Md Saddam Mir, Ferdous Alam and Nurul Amin Nur. They were joined by Office Secretary Mallik Wasi Uddin Tami, Publicity Secretary Md Tanvir Hasan, Science and Technology Affairs Secretary Alfi Lam, Culture Affairs Secretary Ubaidullah Ridwan, as well as leaders and activists from various university halls.

Following the wreath-laying ceremony, President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahos delivered a brief address. He said that Shaheed Asad’s supreme sacrifice during the 1969 anti-Ayub movement remains a timeless source of inspiration for the people of Bangladesh. According to him, Asad’s martyrdom played a pivotal role in strengthening the democratic aspirations of the nation and accelerating the mass movement against authoritarian rule.

He further stated that the ideals embodied by Shaheed Asad continue to guide student politics rooted in democracy, justice and resistance to oppression. “Inspired by his sacrifice, we remain committed to advancing Bangladesh along a democratic path and contributing to the building of a prosperous and accountable state,” he added.

Speakers also emphasised that Shaheed Asad’s martyrdom is not merely a historical episode, but a moral compass for present and future generations. His courage and unwavering stance against injustice, they said, should encourage students to remain vocal, principled and actively engaged in defending democratic rights, especially in times of political uncertainty.

Shaheed Asad, a student leader of the late 1960s, was killed during a protest against the military regime of Ayub Khan. His death became a defining moment in the mass uprising of 1969, galvanising public resistance and laying important groundwork for Bangladesh’s eventual independence.

To contextualise his historical significance, key facts are summarised below:

The observance concluded with a renewed pledge by Dhaka University JCD leaders to uphold the democratic ideals for which Shaheed Asad laid down his life, reaffirming his enduring relevance in Bangladesh’s political and student movement history.