BNP National Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has said the July uprising was built on the sacrifices of Abrar Fahad and others who stood against oppression.

He expressed confidence that “a million Abrars will rise from the blood of one”, symbolising the emergence of a new generation of patriotic youth resisting foreign domination and authoritarian rule.

He made the remarks at a discussion titled “From Expression to Death: Spread and Resistance of Fascism in Educational Institutions” at Dhaka University’s TSC Auditorium on Tuesday, marking the sixth martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Abrar Fahad.

The senior BNP leader said, “The July uprising was built on the sacrifice of the Abrars, with the mass movement at Shapla Square following the path paved by countless students and youth.”

He stressed the need for an honest review of Bangladesh’s political history from 1971 to 2024 to understand the influence of foreign dominance.

“The struggle for East Pakistan’s autonomy from 1947 to 1971 culminated in the Liberation War, with independence achieved through the collective sacrifice of all,” he added.

Highlighting the impact of global and regional powers, Salahuddin said that major countries have long sought to dominate smaller neighbours by shaping their rulers, education systems, and cultural institutions.

“By tempting political power, they fostered hegemony and aggression, placing loyalists like Hasina in power. Shaheed Abrar Fahad became a victim of this hegemony,” he alleged.

Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib and Joint General Secretary Shyamal Malum also spoke at the discussion.

Leaders and activists from the Chhatra Dal central committee, Dhaka Metropolitan unit, and Dhaka University unit attended the event.