Online Desk  :   The authorities of Khulna University (KU) inaugurated its newly constructed main gate, named afer Shaheed Mir Mughdo Toron, on Sunday in honor of its former student Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mughdo, who was martyred during the July 2024 uprising. Farida Akhter, Adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, inaugurated the gate around 2:00 PM as the chief guest. Later, a discussion programme was held at Liaquat Ali Auditorium to mark the inauguration of the arch on the KU campus.

Presided over by KU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Dr Md Rezaul Karim, Farida Akhtar, Advisor to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, spoke as the chief guest. Student Affairs Director and Member Secretary of the Programme Organizing Committee, Professor Dr. Md. Nazmus Sadat delivered welcome speech while Mir Mughdo’s father, Mir Mostafizur Rahman, M Rakibul Haque of Physics Discipline and Syed Kashem Ali of Mathematics Discipline, on behalf of the students of the ’21 batch of the university, also spoke here. Student Affairs Assistant Director Irin Azhar Urmi moderated the programme. Addressing the programme, Farida Akhter, Adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, said, “New Bangladesh has been created due to the sacrifices of Shaheed Mir Mughdo. The youths have proved with their lives that they are ready to make any sacrifice for the needs of the country. It is our responsibility to preserve the memory of these brave martyrs.

She further said that politically conscious students like Mir Mughdo are being developed in a campus free from politics. We have lost Mir Mughd, but there are still many like him on this campus. The scene of him being shot dead while saying ‘Brother, ‘water’, ‘water’ during the movement has received a huge response in the international arena. Today, Mughdo’s brother Snigdha and I were able to inaugurate the main gate of Khulna University, ‘Shaheed Mir Mughdo Toran’, to preserve his memory – it is a matter of pride for us. The interim government’s goal is to at least start the trial of the murderers before the elections are held.”

She again said that the demand made by the students for the expansion of Khulna University is very logical. Khulna University and the fish seed production farm are both government institutions. I hope that a solution will be found through fruitful discussions considering the advantages and disadvantages of both institutions,” she added. Jessore University of Science and Technology Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr M Abdul Majid, Khulna Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Nazmul Ahsan, KU Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr M Harunor Rashid Khan, its Treasurer Professor Dr M Nurunnabi and July Shaheed Smriti Foundation’s Chief Executive Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdha also spoke in the programme. At the beginning of the meeting, the national anthem was played and a minute of silence was observed in prayer for the souls of the martyrs of the July Uprising. Khulna University teachers, students, officials, civil society representatives, media workers, professionals and civic leaders, along with invited guests, were present on the occasion.