National Citizen Party Convener Nahid Islam on Wednesday paid rich tribute to Abrar Fahad, who was murdered inside BUET’s Sher-e-Bangla Hall by activists of Chhatra League, the student wing of the then ruling Awami League, on October 6, 2019.

“I pay deep tribute on the seventh martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Abrar Fahad, our inspiration in the struggle against aggression,” Nahid wrote in a Facebook status.

Calling Abrar an “unconquerable flame of courage”, Nahid said the youth had been a symbol of the independence and sovereignty of this country.

“His courageous voice in favour of protecting the borders and ensuring the people of this land their fair share of water was the heartbeat of 180 million people.”

Nahid lamented that, despite being a meritorious student at one of the country’s premier educational institutions, Abrar could “not remain safe simply for speaking in favour of the country and its people.”

“His brutal murder remains a burning example of the brutality of Awami barbarism.”

The NCP chief said the goal was to become “worthy inheritors of the ideals and courage that Shaheed Abrar Fahad left behind”.

“On Abrar’s martyrdom anniversary, our solemn pledge is that we will never compromise, God willing, on the rights, independence and sovereignty of the people of this land.”

He concluded with a prayer that Allah grant Abrar the highest rank in heaven.

Abrar Fahad was a 21-year-old student of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).

On October 6, 2019, he was taken to a room at Sher-e-Bangla Hall by Bangladesh Chhatra League activists, who questioned him over his alleged political affiliations and his Facebook posts, including one criticising Bangladesh-India water-sharing arrangements.

He was beaten for hours with cricket stumps and other blunt objects and died from his injuries.

His body was found on the dormitory staircase the following morning.

The killing triggered widespread protests and led BUET to ban student politics on campus.

In 2021, a trial court sentenced 20 people to death and five to life imprisonment.

In March 2025, the High Court upheld those sentences.

The case is still awaiting the final appeal hearing before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.

One of the convicts, Muntasir Al Jemi, 26, was among the fugitives who escaped from Kashimpur High-Security Central Prison in Gazipur on August 6, 2024.

His escape prompted widespread demonstrations.

In March 2025, the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) changed the name of Bangabandhu Avenue to Shaheed Abrar Fahad Avenue.