Dhaka: The University of Dhaka (DU) has announced the construction of a ‘July Memorial Monument’ to commemorate those who lost their lives during the July 2024 Mass Uprising. The monument’s foundation stone is set to be laid on August 5, marking the second anniversary of the significant event.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the decision to erect the monument was finalized at a preparatory meeting held at the Professor Abdul Matin Chowdhury Virtual Classroom. The meeting was chaired by Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr ABM Obaidul Islam and focused on finalizing the programs for the anniversary, ensuring all preparations are on track. The meeting also reviewed the subcommittee’s progress and implementation plans for the events scheduled on August 5.
In addition to the monument, DU plans to establish a ‘July Corner’ at the Central Library, which will house personal effects of the martyrs, video footage, photographs, and other archival materials related to the uprising. On the anniversary day, a discussion will take place at the Teacher-Student Centre auditorium, followed by a milad and doa mahfil at the university’s central mosque.
Documentaries about the July movement will be screened across the campus through various display installations. The university will also honor participants of the movement, including students, teachers, officers, and employees, once their involvement is verified. Efforts are underway to preserve the graffiti created during the uprising, with walls across the campus being repainted as part of the restoration work.
A souvenir is being published to document the experiences of those involved in the movement. Key university figures, including Pro-Vice Chancellors, the Treasurer, deans, provosts, the Proctor, the Acting Registrar, and heads of offices, attended the meeting to coordinate these initiatives.
Various halls and academic units at the university have planned events from July 26 to August 3 to observe the uprising’s second anniversary. These units include Shamsunnahar Hall, Kabi Jasimuddin Hall, and several academic departments such as Linguistics, Information Science and Library Management, Clinical Psychology, and English, among others.
Shamsunnahar Hall recently hosted an event titled “Smritite July,” which featured a quiz competition, documentary screening, poetry recitation, and more. Vice-Chancellor Dr. ABM Obaidul Islam emphasized the importance of transforming the new Bangladesh, born from the sacrifice of the July uprising martyrs, into a nation free from discrimination and grounded in justice. The university’s initiatives, including tuition fee waivers for injured students and the preservation of movement graffiti, aim to uphold the memory of the July Revolution.