Students call for Nat’l Teachers’ Day recognition

Dr Shamsuzzoha, a professor at Rajshahi University, sacrificed his life to protect his students during the mass uprising of 1969.

On this day in 1969, he was shot by the Pakistani army while attempting to defuse tensions between protesting students and the military.

During the anti-Ayub Khan movement, RU students defied Section 144 and gathered in front of the university gate on February 18. As tensions escalated, Prof Shamsuzzoha, then the university proctor, rushed to the scene and urged the students to retreat.

When they refused, Pakistani army officer Captain Hadi ordered his troops to open fire. In a final act of defiance, Prof Shamsuzzoha stepped forward and declared, "Shoot me before you shoot my students." An officer then drew his pistol and shot him around 11:00am. Prof Shamsuzzoha died on the way to a hospital.

Since then, the day has been observed as Shaheed Zoha Dibas, but calls for it to be recognised as National Teachers' Day have gone unanswered.

Abu Sayed, the first martyr of the July uprising, had posted on Facebook before his death: "Sir! We desperately need you right now, Sir! It is far more honourable, glorious, and fulfilling to die as a 'Shamsuzzoha'," lamenting the absence of teachers beside them.

Each year, as February 18 approaches, discussions about honouring Prof Shamsuzzoha resurface, with renewed calls for state recognition. However, the momentum fades once the day passes, said RU student Torpona Dey.

To push for official recognition, Salahuddin Ammar and Mehedi Sajid, coordinators of Students Against Discrimination at RU, recently submitted a memorandum to the education and home affairs advisers, urging the government to declare the day as National Teachers' Day.

"During the July uprising, we truly understood the spirit of Zoha Sir. We desperately needed someone like him -- someone who would shield the students. What has Bangladesh done to honour a man whose name continues to inspire justice movements? Declaring February 18 as National Teachers' Day is long overdue," said Salahuddin Ammar.

Prof Abdullah Al Mamun of RU's Mass Communication and Journalism Department supported the demand. "In 1969, Zoha Sir sacrificed his life to protect his students. His martyrdom significantly accelerated the mass movement," he said.

Prof Md Mozammel Hossain Bokul, chairperson of the same department, said, "The day should be 'National Student-Teacher Day'. Many people don't know that a student, Nur Hossain Khoka, was also martyred that day while trying to remove a barricade to take Zoha Sir to hospital."

RU Pro-VC (Academic) Farid Uddin Khan said, "We observe February 18 every year to honour him. This year, too, there will be a day-long discussion and memorial event."

"While we have not officially submitted a request to declare the day as National Teachers' Day, we all believe Prof Shamsuzzoha deserves this state recognition," he added.