Dhaka University celebrates Victory Day with songs, films, plays

Dhaka University has marked Victory Day with songs, films, plays and illuminated landmarks across the campus, celebrating the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War.

On Tuesday, throughout the campus, memoirs, photographs and visual displays reflected the history of sacrifice that shaped Bangladesh’s independence, while the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) hosted Liberation War–themed songs and stage performances to revisit the struggle of 1971.

Iconic university spaces, including Curzon Hall, were decorated with lights as part of the Victory Day observance.

Different university facilities, including the Curzon Hall, were decorated with lights.

The university administration, along with different student organisations on campus, observed Victory Day through a range of events.

Although the university administration undertakes various initiatives in the first half of December every year, some student organisations have complained that there has been a “slight delay” this time.

Students' Union President Meghmallar Bosu told bdnews24.com, “The scale of Victory Day celebrations held every year has not been as significant this time.

“We have seen some examples of our administration turning into a ‘Jamaati’ administration.

“When a picture of Ghulam Azam was painted in Jagannath Hall, the university administration removed it.

“The Dhaka University administration has made an organised or institutional effort to erase the glory of the Liberation War in different stages.

“This time, student organisations have made arrangements to honour and celebrate the Liberation War.”

Chhatra Shakti General Secretary Alamin Sarkar said, “Such behaviour by the administration is unexpected on a campus where so many teachers and officials have been martyred.”

ARRANGEMENTS BY UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION

On Victory Day, the national flag was hoisted at the important buildings of the university, including the vice-chancellor’s building, around 6:30am.

At around 8am, wreaths were laid at the memorial under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan.

In the afternoon, prayers were offered at the university’s central mosque and different halls for the forgiveness of the martyrs’ souls and for the prosperity of the country.

At 5:45pm, a cultural programme was organised at the TSC Auditorium under the joint management of the university's departments of music, dance, and theatre and performance studies.

SHOES HURLED AT GHULAM AZAM’S PICTURE

A group of university students hurled shoes at the picture of Ghulam Azam outside the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) building on Victory Day.

Hisham Anwar, a student of the 2024-25 session, said: “We hate the Razakars. Different evil forces are trying to make the Razakars relevant.

“Ghulam Azam and Nizami opposed the great Liberation War of 1971. His successors are now following that narrative as an Indian conspiracy.

“This year, the Chhatra Shibir held a programme portraying them as heroic sons of this country. We reject that with hatred.”