Highlights
- Sadik Kayem paid tribute to the martyred intellectuals on Martyred Intellectuals Day
- He said intellectuals have always guided the nation, but some served fascism
- Emphasised uncompromising stance on independence and sovereignty
- Stated that politics in Bangladesh must be Bangladesh-centric, not foreign-oriented
Tribute on Martyred Intellectuals Day
On Sunday, 14 December, during the observance of Martyred Intellectuals Day, the Vice President of Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU), Sadik Kayem, spoke to journalists in the morning.
He prayed for the salvation of the souls of the martyred intellectuals and said that intellectuals have always shown the nation the right path. According to him, the martyrs were the nation’s finest sons, whose dream was that intellectuals would continue to guide the country.
However, he expressed regret that some intellectuals, in his words, served fascism instead of standing for the people. Sadik Kayem said,
বুদ্ধিজীবীরা সব সময় আমাদের পথ দেখিয়েছেন, শহীদরা শ্রেষ্ঠ সন্তান। স্বপ্ন ছিলো বুদ্ধিজীবীরাই স্বপ্ন দেখাবেন, কিন্তু কিছু বুদ্ধিজীবী ফ্যাসীবাদের পারপার্স সার্ভ করেছেন।
Translation: “Intellectuals have always guided us, and the martyrs are the finest sons of the nation. The dream was that intellectuals would inspire the nation, but unfortunately, some intellectuals served the purpose of fascism.”
Statement on Sovereignty and Politics
Sadik Kayem said he is currently responsible for Islami Chhatra Shibir and stressed that on issues of independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, there can be no compromise.
He said:
“বাংলাদেশে থাকতে হলে বাংলাদেশপন্থি হয়েই থাকতে হবে। দিল্লির দাসত্ব থেকে বেরিয়ে এসে বাংলাদেশপন্থি রাজনীতি করতে হবে।”
Translation: “If one wants to live in Bangladesh, one must be pro-Bangladesh. Politics here must be Bangladesh-centric, free from subservience to Delhi.”
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Reference to History and Recent Struggles
Referring to the Liberation War, he said Bangladesh achieved its independent territory through great sacrifice. He also claimed that through the events of “24,” the country achieved freedom from what he described as “Delhi’s control.”
National Observance and State Tribute
On the occasion of Martyred Intellectuals Day, Mohammed Shahabuddin, the President of Bangladesh, and Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus placed wreaths at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Mirpur.
Later, under the leadership of the Adviser for Liberation War Affairs, families of martyred intellectuals, war-wounded freedom fighters, and heroic freedom fighters paid tribute at both the Mirpur Memorial and the Rayerbazar Killing Field Memorial. The sites were then opened to the general public.
Source: Channel 24
