The Anti-Terrorism Raju Memorial sculpture at Dhaka University’s Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) stands as an enduring symbol of protest for students across Bangladesh. This monument was erected in 1997 to honor Moin Hossain Raju, a student who was martyred while protesting against campus terrorism. Today, March 13, marks the anniversary of his death.
Moin Hossain Raju was tragically shot and killed on March 13, 1992, during a protest against violence on campus. Coincidentally, the incident took place during the holy month of Ramadan. His family received the shocking news of his injury during Iftar. Rushing to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, they later learned the full extent of the tragedy after his burial.
Raju had joined Dhaka University in 1987, enrolling in the Department of Soil, Water, and Environment. He resided in Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah Hall and was actively involved in student politics. Even before entering university, he had ties to the leftist student organization, Bangladesh Students’ Union, and his commitment to activism deepened further during his time on campus. He played an active role in the anti-Ershad movement and served as the Social Welfare Secretary of the Dhaka University unit of the Bangladesh Students’ Union at the time of his death.
In memory of Raju, the Anti-Terrorism Raju Memorial was inaugurated on September 17, 1997, designed by sculptor Shyamal Chowdhury. Over nearly three decades, this memorial has become a focal point for student protests and demonstrations against various forms of injustice. Many significant student movements, including last year’s mass protests that led to the fall of the Awami League government in July-August, have taken place at this site.
Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5, student-led movements have continued to use the Raju Memorial as a central protest site. Hasnat Abdullah, a key coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement that played a role in toppling the government, repeatedly called on students to gather at the memorial for demonstrations, often posting on social media: “Everyone, come to Raju.”
The Events Leading to Raju’s Martyrdom
Businessman Abdullah Mahmud Khan, a close friend of Raju and his roommate at Shahidullah Hall, still mourns his loss. In March 2019, he recounted the details of Raju’s tragic death in an interview.
According to Mahmud, on the evening of March 12, 1992, Raju had bid farewell to his friends, promising to return the next morning at 9 AM. However, the next day, Raju arrived later than expected. Meanwhile, Mahmud and others had already gone to play cricket. Around 10 to 10:30 AM, Raju reached the campus and rushed to Madhu’s Canteen after hearing about a fight.
At the canteen, activists of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) were attacking a member of Islami Chhatra Shibir. Raju got involved in the altercation, sustaining a cut on his hand. Later that afternoon, when he returned to the dormitory, Mahmud noticed his bandaged hand and learned about the incident.
Raju initially planned to return home, but his friends advised him to rest before leaving. Later, around the afternoon, Raju and three of his friends—Mahmud, Saifur Rahman, and Mostafizur Rahman—left the dormitory together. Drizzling rain accompanied their rickshaw ride to TSC, where they observed an escalating confrontation between armed members of JCD and Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) near the DU Cafeteria.
As the two groups began firing at each other, a police contingent stationed near Suhrawardy Udyan remained passive. Eventually, they fired tear gas shells to disperse the general students, who were caught in the crossfire. Amid the confusion, strong winds and rain momentarily halted the gunfire, allowing the students to reposition themselves.
At this moment, Raju and his friends moved near the TSC wall. The then-officer-in-charge (OC) of Ramna Police Station ordered them to leave. Raju, refusing to back down, questioned the officer, asking why the police were ignoring the armed groups but ordering the unarmed students to leave. The OC, pointing at Raju, reportedly instructed other officers to “handle this boy.”
Seconds later, a gunshot rang out. Raju collapsed, blood streaming from his body. The bullet had entered his back and exited through his chest. His friends rushed to lift him, but his body had already lost its strength. Though he was taken to the hospital, doctors declared him dead upon arrival.
The tragic death of Moin Hossain Raju sent shockwaves through the student community and ignited mass protests against campus violence. His legacy remains enshrined in the Raju Memorial, a testament to student activism and resistance against injustice.