Every word in Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) student Abrar Fahad’s Facebook post was in favour of Bangladesh’s national interests and sovereignty, said BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
He made the remarks while addressing a discussion organised by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at the Dhaka University Senate Bhaban on Wednesday afternoon.
Rizvi said Abrar was murdered for expressing his views, but his sacrifice strengthened popular resistance rather than creating fear.
He said Abrar’s killing further united the people of Bangladesh against what he described as aggressive and expansionist forces.
Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal organised the discussion to mark Abrar’s seventh martyrdom anniversary.
The event was held under the theme, “BNP Government’s Foreign Policy: National Unity against Hegemonism, Expansionism and Imperialism; and Commitment to Safeguarding Independence, Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity.”
Rizvi said repeated failures of movements during what he described as a period of fascist oppression had created widespread frustration among the public.
However, he said, the national response to Abrar’s murder showed that the spirit of protest remained alive among the people.
Rizvi said Abrar’s death laid a crucial foundation for the July 2024 mass uprising, adding that one outcome of his sacrifice was the July movement and Sheikh Hasina’s departure from the country on 5 August.
Abrar’s father, Md Rahmatullah, said his son’s “crime” was posting on social media criticising various agreements and activities that he considered harmful to the country’s interests.
He said Abrar was tortured for several hours inside a Buet hall and killed because of the post.
Expressing concern over delays in the trial seven years after the murder, Rahmatullah urged the government to ensure speedy justice.
BNP Health Affairs Secretary Md Rafiqul Islam said the murder was premeditated, as reflected in the court verdict.
He criticised the then Buet administration for banning all student politics instead of banning the particular student organisation involved in the killing, describing the decision as a reflection of fascist behaviour.
Rafiqul said the sacrifices of students and political activists, including Abrar, helped pave the way for the July 2024 movement.
Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib presided over the discussion, while its General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir conducted the programme.
Dhaka University Treasurer M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Chhatra Dal Joint General Secretary Shyamal Malum, its Dhaka University unit President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas and unit General Secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon also spoke.
Central Chhatra Dal leaders and representatives from its Dhaka University, Dhaka Metropolitan, Dhaka College, Jagannath University, private university and medical college units were also present.
