Photo: BSS

RANGPUR, April 12, 2026 (BSS) - The four-day Shaheed Abu Sayeed Book Fair-2026 in memory of martyr Abu Sayeed, a student of the 12th batch of the 
English Department of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR), begun here on Sunday afternoon. 
 
The university administration is organising the book fair at the Independence 
Memorial Ground on the campus from today (April 12) to April 15 next. 
 
A total of 35 publication houses and stalls of various organisations, 
including Abu Sayeed Corner, from Rangpur, Dhaka and other cities of the 
country have participated in the book fair.
 
Martyr Abu Sayeed's father Md Maqbul Hossain and mother Most Monwara Begum 
jointly inaugurated the Shaheed Abu Sayeed Book Fair-2026 by cutting a ribbon 
in a colorful function arranged on the occasion. 
 
BRUR Vice-chancellor (VC) Professor Dr Md Showkat Ali attended the inaugural 
function as the chief guest with Convener of the Shaheed Abu Sayeed Book 
Fair-2026 organising committee Associate Professor Dr Md Moniruzzaman in the 
chair.
 
Registrar (additional charge) and Proctor of the university Prof Dr Md 
Ferdous Rahman attended the function as special guest. 
 
Other members of the Shaheed Abu Sayeed Book Fair-2026 organising committee, 
students, publishing houses and representatives of various organisations were 
present at the function.
 
After the inauguration, the VC with Abu Sayeed's parents and other invited 
guests visited various stalls of the fair. 
 
Later, an inaugural discussion was held at the fair premises. 
 
Speaking at the discussion, he [the VC] said that this book fair has been 
organised at the initiative of the university administration to commemorate 
the outstanding contribution of martyr Abu Sayeed. 
 
"The daily walk of the writers-readers-visitors at the book fair will be to 
pay tribute to all the martyrs. Such events will play an important role in 
cultivating knowledge and building human values," he said. 
 
In view of the ongoing energy crisis in the country, the fair will be open 
from 1:30 pm to 6:00 pm every day as per the government's instructions. 
 
However, on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh, the fair will be open from 10:00 
am to 6:00 pm on April 14.
 
In addition to discussion programmes, writer's chats, recitations and book 
reviews, children's drawing competitions and cultural programmes will be 
organised at the book fair every day. 
 
It may be mentioned here that Abu Sayeed was martyred in police firing while 
taking part in the indomitable anti-discrimination student movement on July 
16, 2024 in front of the university. 
 
His martyrdom sparked mass protests across the country, turning the student 
movement into a student-people's uprising and overthrowing the fascist regime 
of the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and forcing her to flee the country 
on August 5, 2024.