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Published : 15 Oct 2025, 12:10 AM
The Shaheed Minar at Sunamganj Government College, intertwined with the Language Movement and Liberation War, has been demolished to make way for a new “Meritorious Students’ Plaque” under the direction of the college authorities.
The move has sparked outrage among locals, with social media users expressing strong criticism.
The student wing of the BNP, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, has submitted a written appeal to the college administration, urging restoration of the Shaheed Minar to its original form.
Former students from the 1960s and 1970s recalled that the monument was first destroyed by the Pakistani army during the Liberation War, only to be rebuilt by freedom fighters after independence.
They described the structure as a deeply emotional and historical symbol for the local community.
College Principal Mahbubur Rahman claimed, “We were unaware of the historical significance of the Shaheed Minar. We only came to know about it after it was demolished.”
The original Shaheed Minar, built in the 1960s, honoured the martyrs of the Language Movement.
Around two months ago, construction of the new plaque began under the Education Engineering Department (EED).
Initially, EED engineers proposed building it near the main gate. However, some members of the college’s teacher council and the principal reportedly insisted that it be built in the existing Shaheed Minar’s location.
EED Executive Engineer Kamruzzaman said, “I personally visited the site and proposed constructing the new plaque near the northern side of the gate. But the principal and teachers’ council showed me the old Shaheed Minar site and instructed the contractor to demolish it.”
“Now, local dignitaries and the district commissioner have urged us to halt construction in view of its historical importance.”
Freedom fighter and former vice president of the college students’ union, Saifur Rahman Shamsu, said: “I saw the Shaheed Minar when I enrolled in 1966. It was destroyed by the Pakistani forces in 1971, and those of us who joined the Liberation War rebuilt it after independence.”
“It symbolises our Language Movement and Liberation War. Destroying it like this shows utter disrespect for history. Our Shaheed Minar must be preserved immediately.”
