The 56th anniversary of martyrdom of Professor Shamsuzzoha, who was shot dead by the Pakistani military in front of the Rajshahi University main gate on February 18, 1969, will be observed through various programmes today.
In memory of the then RU proctor and a professor of the chemistry department of the university, the RU authorities, various social, political and cultural organisations of the university and the chemistry department have chalked out elaborate programmes on the campus.
The programme will include placing wreaths at the grave and monument of Professor Zoha, hoisting of black flag, Quran Khwani, memorial speech and screening of film.
Fifty six years have elapsed since Professor Shamsuzzoha sacrificed his life to protect the students who brought out a procession on the RU campus by breaking Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure on February 18 in 1969.
Although the RU authorities, teachers, students, employees as well as different social, political and cultural organisations of the university observe the day as 鈥楴ational Teachers鈥� Day鈥� every year, the heroic sacrifice of the martyred professor is yet to be acknowledged by the government.
His death accelerated the then on-going mass movement against the Pakistan army for withdrawal of the historic Agartala Conspiracy Case.
The agitation started in Rajshahi and elsewhere in the country on February 15, 1969 when sergeant Zahurul Haque, an accused in the case, was killed by Pakistan army personnel after his arrest.
According to Professor Abdul Khaleque, a colleague of Professor Zoha and witness to the incident, Professor Zoha was talking with two Pakistani army officers, captain Hadi and lieutenant Khadem Shah, requesting them not to go for action against the students.
At one stage of exchange of words, Khadem ordered Bengali army personnel to shoot him but they refused to comply with his order. 鈥楢gitated Khadem Shah then killed Zoha using his own revolver,鈥� he told 抖阴精品.
RU Teachers鈥� Association president Professor Md Habibur Rahman told 抖阴精品 that it was a matter of regret that they had to place their demand of nationalising the day as national teacher鈥檚 day each year.
RU vice-chancellor Professor Saleh Hasan Naqib said that they were trying to place their demand of declaring February 18 as 鈥楴ational Teacher鈥檚 Day鈥� nationally to the government in various ways.
鈥榃e have already informed the concerned authorities of the government verbally. We are trying to submit a formal memorandum to the government with our demand of declaring 18th February nationally,鈥� he added.