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Draft:Abrar Fahad

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Abrar Fahad
আবরার ফাহাদ
Born(1998-02-12)February 12, 1998
Kumarkhali, Kushtia, Bangladesh
Died6 October 2019(2019-10-06) (aged 21)
BUET, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Cause of deathBlunt force trauma
Alma materKushtia Zilla School
Notre Dame College
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology
Known forCircumstances of his death
Websiteabrarfahadarchive.org

Abrar Fahad (Bengali: আবরার ফাহাদ; Bengali pronunciation: [ābrār fāhād] ⓘ) (12 February 1998 – 7 October 2019) was a Bangladeshi student at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering.[1] He was beaten to death by members of the Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the ruling Awami League, at BUET's Sher-E-Bangla Hall.[2]

The attack was allegedly linked to Fahad's critical social media posts regarding agreements between Bangladesh and India, particularly concerning water-sharing and port access. His death sparked nationwide protests and brought attention to the issue of political violence within student organizations in Bangladesh.[3][4]

Early life and education

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Abrar Fahad was born on February 12, 1998, in the village of Radhanagar, Kumarkhali, Kushtia, Bangladesh. His father, Barkat Ullah, was a banker at BRAC Bank, while his mother, Rokeya Khatun, was a homemaker.[5][6]

Abrar began his formal education at Kushtia Mission Primary School before moving on to Kushtia Zilla School, where he completed his Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exam.[7] After completing SSC, He was admitted to Notre Dame College in Dhaka, where he completed his Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination under the Dhaka Board.[8] Abrar was offered admission to several universities, including the University of Dhaka and Kushtia Medical College.[9]

Despite his mother's desire for him to study medicine, Abrar chose to pursue engineering, enrolling in the Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) department at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).[10] At BUET, Abrar maintained his academic focus and became involved in several clubs, including the BUET Energy Club.[11]

Death

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Main article: Murder of Abrar Fahad

On the night of October 6th, 2019, Abrar was brought to Room 2011 of Sher-e-Bangla Hall at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, along with his two mobile phones and laptop.[12] At that point, Mujtaba Rafid, the Deputy Office Secretary of BUET Chhatra League, and Khandaker Tabakkharul Islam Tanvir, a third-year Mechanical Engineering student, inspected his phones.[13] Meanwhile, Muntasir Al Jemi, a second-year student from the same department, checked his laptop.[14] During this, Mehedi Hasan Robin began slapping Abrar.[15] Shamsul Arefin Rafat, a second-year Mechanical Engineering student, brought a cricket stump, which Ifti Mosharraf Shakal used to hit Abrar multiple times until it broke.[16] Later, Anik Sarkar, the Information and Research Secretary of BUET Chhatra League and a fourth-year Mechanical Engineering student, repeatedly beat Abrar on his knees, legs, soles, and arms with another stump.[17] Meftahul Islam Zion, the Sports Secretary, also slapped Abrar and hit him on the knees with the stump.[18] Abrar, struggling to breathe, was given two pillows under his head by Ifti Mosharraf Shakal.[19] Abrar vomited several times.[20] The group then moved him to Room 2005 of the dormitory. Amit Saha tried to extract more information from Abrar, suggesting they continue beating him to get more details.[19] Realizing his condition was deteriorating, Amit suggested they take him out of the hall. When Muntasir Al Jemi informed Ifti Mosharraf Shakal that Abrar's condition had worsened, Shakal suggested massaging him.[21] Ismail and Monir called for an ambulance, but due to a delay, Tamim brought a doctor from BUET Medical Center.[20] At 3 AM on Monday, police recovered Abrar's body from the ground floor of BUET's Sher-e-Bangla Hall.[22] Medical Officer Dr. Md. Mashuk Elahi declared him dead around the same time. CCTV footage from the second floor of the dormitory showed several individuals dragging Abrar by his hands and feet down a corridor.[23] Footage also revealed that at 3:26 AM (BST), the Director of BUET's Student Welfare Council, Professor Mizanur Rahman, stood beside the body and had a conversation with the suspects before leaving.[24] The next day, he claimed he knew nothing about the incident until the morning. Abrar's phone and laptop were in the possession of Chhatra League members, making it impossible for any of his friends to inform his family immediately after his death.[25] Eventually, they obtained the contact number of Abrar's younger brother, Abrar Faiyaz, from a BUET student named Diganta who used to tutor him.[26] Faiyaz was called, and after a few rings, he picked up, allowing the family to learn about his death.[25] News of Abrar's death spread fear among the students of Sher-e-Bangla Hall. Many were too scared to share information, fearing retaliation from Chhatra League members.[27] A few students from the 17th batch decided to write a message and posted it across all BUET-related Facebook pages and groups, including the Alumni Association, which sparked outrage and protests across the country.[28] Abrar's classmates claimed that his death might have been related to his Facebook posts. In a status update, Abrar criticized the signing of bilateral agreements with India during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's four-day official visit.[29] In his post, he discussed the Indian use of the Mongla Port, the withdrawal of water from the Feni River, and the import of LPG from Bangladesh.[30] 25 people were convicted in the murder case, all were students of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and members of the Bangladesh Chhatra League. The Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 sentenced 20 of them to death and 5 to life imprisonment.[31] On 3 September 2024, the High Court issued a directive mandating a compensation payment of ৳10 crore to the family of Fahad. Additionally, the court instructed the Cabinet Division to establish a commission of inquiry to further investigate the matter.[32]

Legacy

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Following widespread protests after Abrar's death, BUET became the first major university in Bangladesh to ban student politics.[33] This was a significant move, given the long-standing tradition of political student wings operating in universities across the country.[34] On 2022, Fahad's younger brother, Abrar Faiyaz, cleared the admission test for BUET, the same institute where Abrar was murdered.[35] He added, "I took the decision upon discussing the matter with my family members".[36] On October, 2024, a short film titled Room Number 2011 was released, named after the dorm room where he was killed.[37] Directed by Sheikh Jisan Ahamed, the film was based on the events surrounding his death and the subsequent impact on student politics and free speech.[38] Abrar's death also played a part in catalyzing broader political movements in Bangladesh, culminating in what has been referred to as the "July Revolution".[39] This movement saw mass protests against the government, calling for greater democratic freedoms, transparency, and a pushback against oppressive political practices.[40] On fifth death anniversary of Fahad, a foundation stone was laid after a memorial meeting organized under the banner of "Abrar Fahad Smriti Sangsad" at Plassey intersection in Dhaka.[41] BUET Vice-Chancellor A. B. M. Badruzzaman inaugurated the foundation stone of the memorial.[42] They also demanded the government to announce October 7, the day of Abrar's death, as the 'National Anti-Aggression Day'.[43]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Abrar Fahad: Bangladesh police charge 25 over murder". BBC News. 13 November 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Abrar Fahad killing: Bangladesh student was beaten for four hours". BBC News. 9 October 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  3. ^ "112 organisations back call to recognise Abrar Fahad's martyrdom anniversary as National Anti-Oppression Day". The Financial Express. 7 October 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  4. ^ "General students belong to 80% of university torture victims: Study". The Business Standard. 8 October 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  5. ^ "'They killed my son for speaking up'". The Daily Star. 8 October 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  6. ^ Mohammed, Mahathir (7 October 2024). "Abrar Fahad's father: Justice for murder has yet to be served". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  7. ^ "Abrar Fahad: A promising life brutally cut short". Prothom Alo. 9 October 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  8. ^ "বুয়েট ছাত্র আবরারের পরিচয়". RTV online (in Bengali). 8 December 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  9. ^ "Abrar Fahad's mother: I can still hear him calling me 'ammu'". Dhaka Tribune. 7 October 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  10. ^ "Abrar Fahad: Killing of Bangladesh student triggers protests". BBC News. 8 October 2019. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  11. ^ "ছেলের স্মৃতি আমাকে প্রতিদিন কাঁদায় : আবরার ফাহাদের মা". The Daily Ittefaq (in Bengali). 7 October 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  12. ^ "Abrar Killing at Buet: At least 28 took part in or abetted the crime". The Daily Star. 6 November 2019.
  13. ^ "BUET expels 26 students for Abrar murder". New Age (Bangladesh). 22 November 2019.
  14. ^ "Bangladesh charges 25 in student's death". Asia News Network. 14 November 2019.
  15. ^ "Robin was the first person to hit Abrar". The Business Standard. 14 October 2019.
  16. ^ "Dhaka tribunal opens trials of 25 suspects in murder of BUET student Abrar Fahad". bdnews24.com. 15 September 2020.
  17. ^ "Anik Sarker beat up Abrar with cricket stump in 2 phases". The Daily Star. 12 October 2019.
  18. ^ "Now Zion confesses involvement in Abrar murder". The Business Standard. 11 October 2019.
  19. ^ a b "ভিন্ন মতের নির্মম 'শাস্তি' পেয়েছিলেন আবরার". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 13 November 2019.
  20. ^ a b "Horrific accounts of cruelty". The Daily Star. 12 October 2019.
  21. ^ Dhali, Bari (8 November 2020). "Two Buet students testify in Abrar Fahad murder case" (news article). dhakatribune.com. Dhaka Tribune.
  22. ^ "BUET student killed for Facebook status". The Daily Sun. 7 October 2019.
  23. ^ "BUET student beaten to death". The Financial Express. 8 October 2019.
  24. ^ "Buet teacher testifies in Abrar Fahad murder case". Dhaka Tribune. 28 October 2020.
  25. ^ a b "BUET student Abrar's mother repeatedly phoned him that night". Prothom Alo. 7 October 2019.
  26. ^ "'He's feigning, can be beaten up for two more hours'". The Daily Star. 10 October 2019.
  27. ^ "BCL has become a total menace". The Statesman. 28 August 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  28. ^ "Abrar Fahad: Killing of Bangladesh student triggers protests". BBC News. 8 October 2019. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  29. ^ "BUET student 'beaten dead' in dorm". Prothom Alo. 7 October 2019. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  30. ^ "Was BUET student Abrar murdered for his Facebook status?". The Daily Sun. 7 October 2019. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  31. ^ Mahmud, Faisal. "Bangladesh sentences 20 to death for student murder". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
  32. ^ "HC rules for paying Tk10cr compensation to Abrar's family". The Business Standard. 3 September 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  33. ^ "Banning campus politics: Buet students vow to continue protest". Dhaka Tribune. 1 April 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  34. ^ Shovon, Fahim Reza (11 October 2019). "Buet bans politics on campus, expels 19 students over Abrar murder". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  35. ^ "Abrar Fahad's brother Faiyaz decides to get admitted to BUET". The Daily Sun. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  36. ^ "Murdered Abrar Fahad's brother Faiyaj passes BUET admission test". Prothom Alo. 1 July 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  37. ^ "'Room Number 2011' brings Abrar Fahad's tragic story". The Daily Star. 18 September 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  38. ^ "আবরারের স্মরণে প্রকাশ্যে 'রুম নম্বর ২০১১'". The Daily Ittefaq (in Bengali). 8 October 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  39. ^ "How Abrar Fahad's murder laid the seeds of the July uprising". The Business Standard. 6 October 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  40. ^ "জুলাই বিপ্লবের অন্যতম নায়ক আবরার ফাহাদ: শিবির সভাপতি". Jagonews24.com (in Bengali). 7 October 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  41. ^ "Student organisations mark fifth anniv of Abrar Fahad's death". The Daily Observer. 8 October 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  42. ^ "'Memorial Plaque' for Abrar Fahad inaugurated at BUET". Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha. 7 October 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  43. ^ "৭ অক্টোবর ‌'জাতীয় আগ্রাসন বিরোধী দিবস' পালনের আহ্বান". Dhaka Post (in Bengali). 7 October 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
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