‘Eight Pillars Against Aggression’ to be inaugurated on the sixth martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Abrar Fahad

On the occasion of the sixth martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Abrar Fahad, ‘Eight Pillars Against Aggression’ is going to be inaugurated at Palashi intersection in the capital. A memorial meeting and inauguration ceremony has been organized on Tuesday (October 7) at 3 pm under the initiative of Abrar Fahad Memorial Society. Shaheed Abrar’s father Barkat Ullah will be present as the chief guest.

The planner and dreamer of the ‘Eight Pillars Against Aggression’ is Akhtar Hossain, convener of Abrar Fahad Memorial Society and member secretary of the National Citizens Party (NCP). He said, “This pillar is not just a memorial, it is a symbol of Bangladesh’s sovereignty, independence and national dignity.”

On October 7, 2020, on the first death anniversary of Abrar, these ‘Eight Pillars’ were constructed for the first time under the initiative of the Student Rights Council. However, within 24 hours of its construction, it was demolished on the orders of the Dhaka South City Corporation. At that time, Akhtar Hossain, who was leading the construction, was attacked by the Chhatra League.

The plaque on the monument bears Abrar's favorite quote—"My journey through the infinite universe, at the end of the infinite space." Abrar himself used this phrase on his Facebook profile.

Akhtar Hossain said, "Six years ago, a BUET student, Abrar, was brutally martyred for speaking out against Indian aggression. That is why this structure has been named 'Eight Pillars Against Aggression'. We want it to be a symbol of national independence and self-respect."

He further said, “The ‘eight pillars’ actually symbolize eight fundamental principles—sovereignty, democracy, public defense, communal harmony, economic self-reliance, protection of domestic industry-agriculture and rivers-forests-ports, cultural freedom and human dignity. The dream of an aggression-free and independent Bangladesh lies within these eight principles.”

At that time, he urged journalists to attend the inaugural ceremony and memorial service.

It is worth noting that on the night of October 6, 2019, Chhatra League leaders and activists brutally tortured and killed Abrar Fahad at BUET’s Sher-e-Bangla Hall. His sacrifice has become a symbol of inspiration for the independent-minded youth of Bangladesh today.