Posthumous Independence Award to Be Conferred on Abrar Fahad
Abrar Fahad, a student of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) who was brutally beaten to death by members of the banned organization Bangladesh Chhatra League, is set to receive the Posthumous Independence Award in recognition of his sacrifice.
Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, the Youth and Sports Adviser to the interim government, announced this on Monday via a post on his verified Facebook page.
In his post, he stated, “Abrar Fahad is a symbol of courage against injustice, a reflection of free thought. His recognition with the Posthumous Independence Award 2025 is an acknowledgment of his sacrifice. His ideals enlighten us and inspire us to move forward in the path of justice. The nation will never forget you, Abrar!”
The decision follows a meeting of the National Awards Advisory Committee held at the Secretariat on Sunday. The committee is chaired by Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud, the Adviser for Education and Planning. Following the meeting, he addressed the press, stating that the award aims to honor individuals who have made lifelong contributions to Bangladesh in fields such as culture, literature, science, and social service. However, he clarified that the final list of recipients had not yet been confirmed, stating, “This is a recommendation.”
Professor Asif Nazrul, the Legal Adviser and a member of the committee, commented, “If you were pleased with the Ekushey Padak recipients, you will be even happier with this year’s Independence Award recipients.” He also noted that fewer than ten individuals would receive the award this year.
The Independence Award, the highest civilian honor in Bangladesh, has been conferred annually since 1977 on March 26, the nation’s Independence Day, in remembrance of the heroes of the 1971 Liberation War.
Abrar Fahad was a second-year student of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at BUET. On October 6, 2019, his body was recovered from Sher-e-Bangla Hall of the university. Following his murder, his father filed a homicide case at Chawkbazar Police Station in Dhaka. On November 13, 2019, police submitted charge sheets against 25 BUET students.
On December 8, 2021, the Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 delivered its verdict, sentencing 20 accused to death and five others to life imprisonment. The case was then forwarded to the High Court as a death reference on January 6, 2022.
The High Court concluded hearings on the death reference, appeals, and jail appeals on February 24, 2024, and the verdict is now pending. Meanwhile, reports surfaced last week that Muntasir Al Jemi, one of the death row convicts, escaped from prison. According to prison authorities, he had been missing since August 5.
