Remembering Abrar Fahad: The Promising BUET Student Whose Life Was Tragically Cut Short

Abrar Fahad, born on 12 February 1998 in Kumarkhali, Kushtia, Bangladesh, was a highly accomplished student known for his academic excellence and civic consciousness. After completing his early education at Kushtia Mission Primary School and Kushtia Zilla School, Fahad continued his studies at Notre Dame College, Dhaka, where he ranked among the top 20 students in the Dhaka Board Higher Secondary Certificate Examination. His exceptional academic performance earned him admissions to both the University of Dhaka and Kushtia Medical College. Ultimately, he chose to pursue a degree at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, residing at Sher-e-Bangla Hall.

At BUET, Fahad actively participated in departmental and club activities, including serving as an executive member of the BUET Energy Club. Beyond academics, he was deeply religious, prayed five times daily, and engaged in social and political discourse on social media, consistently advocating for the welfare and interests of his country.

Tragically, on the night of 6 October 2019, Fahad was lured to a room by members of the Bangladesh Chattra League (BCL) and subjected to prolonged torture, falsely accused of political affiliation. Multiple BCL activists, including Mehedi Hasan Rasel, Muhtasim Fuad, and several others, were involved in the attack. After six hours of brutal assault, Abrar Fahad succumbed to his injuries at approximately 2:30 a.m. on 7 October 2019.

Abrar’s death highlighted the dangers posed by politically motivated violence and the suppression of civil liberties. His murder was not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of intimidation and oppression affecting students and citizens alike. Advocates for justice emphasize that protecting civil liberties must remain unconditional and steadfast.
 

In memory of Abrar Fahad, BUET Batch ’17 has established a dedicated archive to commemorate his life, preserve his legacy, and promote awareness about the importance of safeguarding human rights and justice in educational institutions. Abrar Fahad would have turned 28 today, and his story continues to inspire calls for justice, civil liberties, and vigilance against political violence.