Shaheed Asad. Photo: Collected

DHAKA, Jan 19, 2025 (BSS) – Shaheed Asad Day will be observed tomorrow, commemorating the supreme sacrifice of the student leader Asaduzzaman Asad.

On January 20 in 1969, Asaduzzaman Asad, the hero of the 1969 mass upsurge movement, was killed by the Pakistani police at a protest against the atrocities on the people of East Pakistan at a rally near Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

In observation of ‘Shaheed Asad Day’, President Mohammad Shahabuddin in a message said that the sacrifice of martyr Asad will remain a source of inspiration for the democracy-loving people of the country.

“The extreme sacrifice of martyr Assad in the mass uprising of 1969 had provided endless inspiration for our struggle for freedom and independence. It has also inspired and given immense courage to the students and the people in the mass uprising of July-August 2024,” he said.

The President said, “Shaheed Asad Day is an unforgettable day in the democratic history of Bangladesh. On January 20, 1969, student leader Mohammad Asaduzzaman Asad was martyred in police firing during a procession to fulfill the 11-point demands of the country's student community against the then Pakistani dictator Ayub Khan. On this day, I remember Shaheed Asad with deep respect.”

He said that Shaheed Asad is an immortal name in the history of the independence movement of Bangladesh, adding, “The sacrifice of Shaheed Asad, a student of Dhaka University, accelerated the movement of 1969. Freedom-seeking people, ignoring the fear of imprisonment, oppression and persecution, took position on streets to realize their rights. Gradually, the movement became more intense and took the form of a mass uprising.”

Dictator Ayub Khan was forced to leave the power, and the dictatorship fell, said the President, adding, “Following this mass uprising, we achieved independent and sovereign Bangladesh through the great Liberation War.”   

He prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul of martyr Asad.

In a message Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus said that martyr Asad, who sacrificed his life in 1969 mass uprising, will be remembered among the democracy-loving and freedom-loving people of the country.

He said, “His sacrifice inspires our new generation to fulfill their responsibilities for the country and stand for the truth. The mass uprising of students, workers and the people in July-August has proved it. The sacrifice of the martyrs will never go in vain.”

The chief adviser said, “Shaheed Asad Day is a very significant day in the history of Bangladesh's independence struggle."

He said that when the people of Bangla were disoriented by the discriminatory behaviour, torture and oppression of the Pakistani rulers, the movement for freedom of the Bangali nation against discrimination and oppression took on a new dimension as a guide for the liberation of Bangalis.

The chief adviser said that on January 20, 1969, police opened fire on a student-public procession on the road in front of Dhaka Medical College. 

Mohammad Asaduzzaman Asad, a master's student of Dhaka University, was killed in police firing and many others were injured, he said in his message. 

“The sacrifice of Shaheed Asad added a new dimension to the ongoing movement. People from all classes and professions took to streets ignoring oppression for their right of freedom. Gradually, the movement became more intense and that movement later turned into a mass uprising,” he added.  

The chief adviser prayed for the eternal peace of the soul of Shaheed Asad and paid tribute to all martyrs including Shaheed Asad.