Tanvir Mahim, CoU

A proposal has been submitted to install a monument at Comilla University (CoU) in memory of the July Uprising, along with a design for a 38-foot-high structure. The initiative was taken by ‘Pataton’, the university’s only intellectual student organization. The proposed design was created by Sultana Razia on behalf of the organization.

The organization earlier submitted a written application to the university registrar on April 30, and later, on July 9, formally presented the design to the Pro-Vice Chancellor. In the application, Pataton stated, “The glory and sacrifices of the movement do not receive adequate formal recognition and deserve to be commemorated through an institutional monument.”

Speaking on the matter, Pataton President Masum Billah said, “None of the university’s stakeholders have taken any significant steps to preserve the memory of the July Movement. That’s why we felt the need to take action ourselves. We organized graffiti, held seminars involving the injured, and had earlier placed an oral request to the administration for a memorial. In April, we followed up with a formal application to the Registrar. However, we did not receive any updates from them.”

He further added, “Eventually, we were verbally asked to prepare a design. So, we took the initiative and developed one on our own. The Pro-VC has given us her assurance. We, on behalf of Pataton, are ready to provide maximum support to the administration in realizing this demand.”