Work has begun to repaint and, where necessary, rewrite the July graffiti on various walls across the Dhaka University campus, to preserve the memory of the historic July mass uprising. The three-day programme will keep the graffiti’s original character, spirit and message intact.
Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A B M Obaidul Islam inaugurated the programme on Saturday (1 August) morning at the main gate of the vice-chancellor’s residence.
Those present at the inauguration included Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr Abdus Salam, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr Mohammad Almojaddedi Alfesani, Treasurer Professor Dr M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts Professor Dr Md Azharul Islam Sheikh, Proctor Md Israfil Prang, and Director of the Arboriculture Centre Professor Dr Mohammad Jasim Uddin, along with teachers and students.
The university administration said that from 1 to 3 August, the July graffiti on various walls from the vice-chancellor’s building to Rokeya Hall will be repainted. Some graffiti will also be rewritten as needed. Registered students and artists are taking part in the work.
At the inauguration, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A B M Obaidul Islam said the July graffiti carries the memory of the then government’s misrule, torture and repression. Preserving it will make it possible to present the events of that time to future generations.
In July-August 2024, young people and the wider public took to the streets against injustice and oppression, he said. The then government chose the path of attacks and repression to crush the movement; at one stage it turned into a mass uprising and Sheikh Hasina left the country.
According to the vice-chancellor, students at that time depicted repression, resistance and mass protest on wall after wall through graffiti. Over time these artworks have become important markers of the country’s recent history.
Future generations will learn about the events of July-August through this graffiti, he said, calling on everyone to remain alert so that authoritarian rule is not repeated in the country.
Meanwhile, marking the second anniversary of the July mass uprising, Dhaka University has organised a discussion at 7:30 pm on Saturday at the Amar Ekushey Hall auditorium. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A B M Obaidul Islam will attend as chief guest. National Citizen Party (NCP) northern regional chief organiser Sarjis Alam will speak as special guest.
Separately, marking the second anniversary, the microbiology department held a discussion titled “The July revolution and the mass uprising of students and people” at the Anwarul Azim Chowdhury Lecture Gallery on 29 July, where students shared their dreams and expectations for the Bangladesh to come.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report