Tribute by DU Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal on Shaheed Asad’s 57th Martyrdom Anniversary

Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), Dhaka University (DU) unit, paid solemn tribute to Shaheed Asad on the occasion of his 57th martyrdom anniversary, reaffirming their commitment to democratic ideals and student-led resistance against authoritarianism.

The commemorative programme was held on Tuesday (20 January) at 9:00am at the Shaheed Asad Memorial, located adjacent to the emergency wing of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Party leaders and activists gathered at the memorial to lay floral wreaths, observe a moment of silence, and remember the historic sacrifice of one of Bangladesh’s most enduring symbols of democratic struggle.

Present at the event were the President of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Dhaka University unit, Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahos, along with Vice-President Abdullah Al Naim and General Secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon. Senior Joint General Secretary Md Nasir Uddin Shawon, Joint General Secretaries Hossain Md Saddam Mir, Ferdous Alam, and Nurul Amin Nur also attended. The programme further saw the presence of Office Secretary Mallik Wasi Uddin Tami, Publicity Secretary Md Tanvir Hasan, Science and Technology Affairs Secretary Alfi Lam, Cultural Affairs Secretary Ubaidullah Ridwan, as well as leaders and activists from various DU halls and affiliated committees.

Following the wreath-laying ceremony, President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahos addressed the gathering with a brief but poignant speech. He stated that Shaheed Asad’s sacrifice during the mass uprising against the Ayub Khan regime in 1969 remains a timeless source of inspiration for those committed to democracy. He emphasised that Asad’s martyrdom was not merely a historical event, but a defining moment that galvanised public resistance and accelerated the broader democratic movement in the then East Pakistan.

“Shaheed Asad laid down his life for the democratic rights of the people,” Sahos said. “Guided by his ideals, we pledge to continue working towards a democratic path for Bangladesh and to help build a prosperous and just state.”

He further noted that Asad’s legacy continues to inspire new generations of students to stand firmly against injustice, repression, and authoritarian tendencies. According to student leaders present, remembering Shaheed Asad is essential not only for honouring history, but also for instilling democratic consciousness among young citizens in contemporary Bangladesh.

Shaheed Asad has long been regarded as a powerful symbol of student activism and mass resistance. His death during the 1969 anti-Ayub movement is widely recognised as a turning point that intensified public opposition and strengthened the struggle for political rights, eventually contributing to later historic movements.

Key Facts on Shaheed Asad

The Dhaka University unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal concluded the programme by reiterating its resolve to uphold the democratic values embodied by Shaheed Asad and to continue the tradition of principled student activism in Bangladesh.