Abrar Fahad to receive the Independence Award posthumously

Abrar Fahad, a student of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) who was murdered by leaders and activists of the banned organization Chhatra League in October 2019, will be posthumously awarded the Independence Award 2025.

Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, an adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives, made the announcement through a Facebook post at 4:45 am on Monday.

He wrote: “A symbol of courage against injustice, a reflection of free thought—Abrar Fahad. His posthumous Independence Award 2025 is a recognition of his sacrifice. His ideals continue to inspire us in the pursuit of justice. The nation will not forget you, Abrar!”

On October 7, 2019, Abrar Fahad, a second-year student at BUET, was tortured to death at Sher-e-Bangla Hall of the institution by Chhatra League leaders and activists. Following the incident, his father filed a murder case at Chawkbazar Police Station in Dhaka.

On December 8, 2021, Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 sentenced 20 BUET students to death and five others to life imprisonment in connection with the murder.