Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) held a candlelight vigil titled "Aloke Aloke Smriti Somojjwal" (Memories Shining in Light) at the Central Shaheed Minar in the early hours on Wednesday, paying rich tribute to the memories of the martyrs of the July-August uprising.

Presided over by JCD Central Committee President Rakibul Islam Rakib and moderated by General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, the event was attended by hundreds of activists from Dhaka University, Jagannath University, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Jahangirnagar University and various private university units.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary-General and PM’s Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi addressed the programme as the chief guest.

Among others, Dhaka University (DU) JCD President Ganesh Chandra Roy and JCD Central Organising Secretary Amanullah Aman were present on the occasion.

Speaking as the chief guest, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the supreme sacrifices of the July-August martyrs will eternally inspire the nation and ignite the spirit to resist any future tyranny.

"I have not seen the Great Wall of China, but I have seen Abu Sayed bear his chest, standing there like an unyielding wall against bullets.

I have not seen the Himalayas, but I have heard of Martyr Wasim Akram in Chattogram, who stood as tall as a mountain to embrace the heat of lead.

I have not seen the Pacific Ocean, but the tears of Martyr Ahnaf’s mother are deeper than any ocean," Rizvi added.

JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib paid profound respect to the students and citizens who laid down their lives during the anti-fascist movement.

He recalled the iconic contributions of martyrs Abu Sayed, Wasim, Mugdho and Rabbi during the mass uprising.

"A total of 142 leaders, activists and supporters of Chhatra Dal sacrificed their lives in this historic struggle," Rakib said.

In this connection, he said that JCD will organise this candlelight vigil every year to keep the memories of the brave martyrs alive.

JCD Central Organising Secretary Amanullah Aman, in his speech, noted that the student-led mass uprising successfully ousted the fascist Sheikh Hasina regime after a gruelling 17-year-long struggle.

He emphasised that Chhatra Dal has consistently stood for truth, justice and the nation throughout the movement.

The programme concluded with leaders and activists placing candles at the altar of the Central Shaheed Minar and standing in solemn silence to honour the departed souls of the martyrs.