University

Metropolitan University observed the Martyred Intellectuals Day 2023 to commemorate the intellectuals killed systematically by the Pakistan occupation forces and their local collaborators at the fag-end of the Liberation War in 1971.

On December 14th, at 11:30 am, a discussion meeting was held in the library hall on the occasion of Martyred Intellectual Day. The discussion meeting was presided over by the Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and Convener of Martyred Intellectuals Day observance committee Professor Dr. Suresh Ranjan Basak. The Vice Chancellor of the University Professor Dr. Mohammad Jahirul Hoque attended the discussion as the Chief Guest. The programme was anchored by the Registrar of the University Mr. Tarek Islam. At the beginning of the programme Mr. Anik Biswas, Assistant Professor of the Department of English and Member Secretary of Martyred Intellectual Day Observance Committee 2023 delivered the welcome speech. Mr. Sheikh Ashrafur Rahaman, Associate Professor and Dean In-Charge, School of Law attended the programme as the Keynote speaker.

During the speech, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Dr. Mohammad Jahirul Hoque, conveyed that the enduring significance of the sacrifices made by the nation's Martyrs would never be forgotten. He noted that faced with the inevitable defeat in the liberation war, the invading Pakistani forces had devised a reprehensible plan to undermine the morale of the Bengali nation. According to him, they ruthlessly took the lives of numerous individuals, including academicians, doctors, engineers, journalists, artists, teachers, and other prominent figures, along with government officials, aided by their local collaborators. He emphasized that the memory of this inhuman and barbaric massacre would persist in history, spoken of with enduring disdain.

Professor Dr. Suresh Ranjan Basak said “We consider it a blessing to honor the memory of the nation's Martyrs. The actions of the Pakistani army and their collaborators in demoralizing the nation are deemed unforgivable. It was an assault on the conscience of the nation. While there were varying opinions on numerous issues during and before the liberation war, all parties unanimously condemned the killing of the martyred intellectuals. Earlier this, the National flag was hoisted and half-masted in front of the administrative building of the University at 9 am.”

On this day in 1971, the country's renowned academicians, doctors, engineers, journalists, artists, teachers and other eminent personalities were dragged out of their homes, blindfolded and taken to unknown places and then brutally tortured and murdered.

Their bodies were later dumped at Rayerbazar, Mirpur and a few other killing fields in the capital.