Repainting July Uprising graffiti begins

Dhaka University (DU) has launched a three-day drive to restore the July Uprising graffiti across its campus, aiming to preserve the murals commemorating the 2024 mass uprising that toppled Awami League government. On Saturday, DU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor ABM Obaidul Islam inaugurated the programme as the chief guest at a ceremony outside his official residence.

It was attended by Pro-VCs Professor Dr Abdus Salam (Academic) and Professor Dr Mohammed Almujaddade Alfasane, Treasurer Professor M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Dean of Faculty of Fine Arts Professor Md Azharul Islam Sheikh, Proctor Md Israfil Prang, and Arboriculture Centre Director Professor Mohammad Jasim Uddin. 

Registered students and artists are retouching artwork from DU VC’s  residence to Ruqayyah Hall from August 1 to 3, with organisers pledging to preserve the original designs and messages. DU VC said the graffiti served as a permanent reminder of the "fallen fascist government's" crackdown, recalling how the then university administration attacked protesters and how Sheikh Hasina fled the country during the uprising.
 
"Bangladesh will live on for centuries, even if we don't," he said, urging the public to support the present government's efforts to build a more equitable society.

The initiative coincides with a wider programme marking the second anniversary of the uprising. Amar Ekushey Hall hosted a discussion in the evening with Professor Islam as the chief guest and NCP northern region organiser Sarjis Alam as special guest.

Department of Microbiology also held a session on July 29 "July Revolution and the Mass Uprising of Students and People", where Acting Dean Professor Md Abdul Karim, department chairman Professor Mu Manjurul Karim, and student adviser Dr Samina Mumtaz spoke to students about their hopes for the country's future.