1969 mass upsurge hero Asad to be recalled today

Shaheed Asad Day will be observed today, commemorating the supreme sacrifice of student leader Asad during the mass upsurge of 1969.

The nation will recall Asad's sacrifice with deep gratitude through various programmes, marking his 49th martyrdom anniversary.

On this day in 1969, Asaduzzaman was killed when Pakistani forces opened fire near Dhaka Medical College Hospital during a protest against repression on the then East Pakistan [now Bangladesh] people.

Then a graduate student of history at Dhaka University,

Asad was also the DU unit president and Dhaka city unit general secretary of erstwhile East Pakistan Chhatra Union.

Then President Ayub Khan was forced to step down amid a mass revolt fuelled by the incident.

Different socio-political organisations, including Shaheed Asad Parishad, have chalked out elaborate programmes that include placing wreaths at the memorial plaque of Asad in front of the DMCH and his grave at Shibpur in Narsingdi.

Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia issued separate messages paying homage to the memory of Asad.

They also prayed for the eternal peace of Asad's departed soul.