As per long-pending demand, Rajshahi University (RU) teachers, students and employees observed yesterday as “National Teachers’ Day” in honour of Dr Shamsuzzoha, the county’s first martyred intellectual during the 1969 mass uprising.
On February 18, 1969, Dr Zoha, then RU proctor and professor of chemistry department, was gunned down on the university’s main entrance gate by the Pakistani Army while he was requesting the force not to shoot the students who brought out procession defying the section 144.
The students were on streets in protest of the murder of sergeant Zahurul Haque, an accused in the Agartala conspiracy case, in the custody of the Pakistani forces.
Afterwards, Dr Zoha’s death sparked violent protests across the then East Pakistan finally leading to the fall of the Ayub regime.
Commemorating the day, RU authorities chalked out several functions including mourning procession, special prayer and discussion.
Black flags were hoisted at the administrative building, the VC residence and library as well as all departments and the dormitories of the university.
Around 6:45am, the RU authorities led by Vice-Chancellor Prof Muhammad Mizanuddin placed wreaths on the grave of Dr Zoha in front of the administrative building.
Around 10am, there was a discussion where RU teacher Prof Hasan Azizul Haque read out Dr Zoha memorial speech as the chief guest while the VC and Treasurer Prof Sayen Uddin addressed the event among others as well.
Chemistry department Chairman Prof Nazrul Islam presided over the programme.
Besides, different cultural, voluntary and political parties also paid tribute to Dr Zoha by placing wreaths on his grave.
A special prayer was offered after Zohr prayers in RU central Mosque and its museum, where the memories of the university’s martyred intellectuals including Dr Zoha remained preserved, was allowed to enter for the visitors from 8am to 5pm.
