Construction of ‘July-24 Square’ at Nazrul University Yet to Begin After Two Years

Construction of the ‘July-24 Square’ at Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University has yet to begin, even two years after the decision to establish it. Although the preliminary design and plan have reportedly been finalized following the renaming of the site, the project has not moved into the implementation phase due to a lack of necessary funding.

University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Mosharraf Hossain said the administration was continuing to work on the project.

“Of course, we are thinking about July. You may have noticed that the July Square had been left abandoned. I personally inspected the site. Even yesterday, I saw that cleaning work was underway, grass was being cut, and I instructed the authorities to repair the broken tiles,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor added that although the main structure had not yet been altered, the administration had already invited several designs and received architectural proposals.

Following the fall of the government amid the student-people uprising on August 5, 2024, students demolished the university's then ‘Bangabandhu Square’ and a sculpture of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Later, at the university's 88th Syndicate meeting, the site was renamed ‘July-24 Square’ in response to demands from students.

However, nearly two years later, the administration's visible progress has largely remained limited to changing the name of the site.

According to university sources, the preliminary design and plan for the July-24 Square have already been finalized. However, implementation has not begun because the required funds have not yet been allocated.

Md. Hafizur Rahman, director of the university's Planning, Development and Works Department, said the relatively high estimated cost of the project was contributing to the delay.

“The project is being delayed because of a shortage of funds. It is not possible to begin construction immediately. However, we are moving forward with a target of completing the work by next July. We are regularly discussing the matter with the Vice-Chancellor,” he said.

He added that if sufficient funding is not allocated within the planned timeframe, the university has an alternative plan to use the foundation of the former Bangabandhu Square to construct the July-24 Square.

The prolonged delay has disappointed students. Yasir Nazim, a student of the 2023–24 academic session and a participant in the July movement, said the square could have become an important symbol for preserving the memory of those who lost their lives during the movement.

“July Revolution represents the sacrifice, courage and aspirations of our generation. It is extremely disappointing that construction has not even started after two years. Simply changing the name does not fulfill the responsibility. We want the necessary funds to be allocated quickly and a dignified, visually appealing July-24 Square to be built so that future generations can also carry this history forward,” he said.

Teachers and students believe construction of the July-24 Square should begin without further delay to preserve the memory of those killed during the July uprising and help future generations understand its history.

They have called for immediate allocation of the required funds and construction of a dignified memorial square at the university.