Teachers, students, and various social, political, and cultural organisations of Rajshahi University on Tuesday observed ‘National Teacher Day’ on the university campus in honour of the heroic sacrifice of martyred RU professor Mohammad Shamsuzzoha.
The country’s first martyred intellectual during the 1969 mass uprising professor Shamsuzzoha, also then RU proctor and a teacher at the RU chemistry department, was shot dead by the Pakistani military in front of the main gate of RU on February 18, 1969, while trying to protect students who had brought out a procession in defiance of Section 144.
His death accelerated the ongoing mass movement against the Pakistani army, demanding the withdrawal of the historic Agartala Conspiracy Case.
The agitation had started in Rajshahi and elsewhere in the country on February 15, 1969, after Sergeant Zahurul Haque, an accused in the case, was killed by Pakistani army personnel while in custody.
To commemorate the day, the RU authorities organised several programmes, including placing of wreaths at the grave and monument of Shamsuzzoha, recitation from the Qur’an, and a discussion session.
Black flags were hoisted at the administrative building, the vice-chancellor’s residence, the central library, as well as all departments and residence halls of the university.
At 9:00am, the RU authorities, led by vice-chancellor professor Saleh Hasan Naqib, placed wreaths at the grave of professor Zoha in front of the administrative building. Various social, cultural, voluntary, and political organisations also placed wreaths at his grave in the morning.
The RU chemistry department, in association with the university administration, organised a discussion at the Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Senate Building at 10:00am to honor professor Zoha’s sacrifice.
VC Saleh Hasan Naqib addressed the discussion as the chief patron, while pro-vice-chancellors professor Mohammad Main Uddin and Professor Farid Uddin Khan, along with treasurer professor Matiar Rahman, spoke as patrons.
Writer and professor Salimullah Khan addressed the discussion as the keynote speaker while Sabina Zoha Khan, daughter of professor Zoha, spoke as the honorary guest with chemistry department chair professor Choudhury M Zakaria in the chair.
The speakers urged the government to declare February 18 as National Teacher Day to recognise professor Zoha’s heroic sacrifice.
A special prayer was also offered after zuhr prayers at the RU central mosque. Additionally, the RU museum, which preserves the memories of the university’s martyred intellectuals, including professor Zoha, remained open for visitors from 8:00am to 5:00pm.
In the evening, a documentary on the life and contributions of Professor Zoha was screened at the university’s Shaheed Intellectual Memorial.
