Dhaka University (DU) authorities have announced a detailed programme to observe Genocide Day commemorating the night of 25 March 1971, and the Independence and National Day of Bangladesh.
The programmes were announced in two separate statements issued by the university’s Public Relations Office on Tuesday.
To commemorate the night of 25 March 1971, Genocide Day will be observed at the University of Dhaka on Wednesday, 25 March 2026.
As part of the observance, a candle-lighting ceremony, documentary screening and discussion meeting will be held at Smriti Chironton Square on the campus at 7:15pm on the day.
DU Vice-Chancellor Niaz Ahmed Khan will preside over the discussion. Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Sayma Haque Bidisha, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Mamun Ahmed, and Treasurer M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury will attend the event as honoured guests.
Candles will be lit and tributes paid at the mass grave located in the premises of Jagannath Hall Mass Grave at 8:15pm,.
Besides, a one-minute “blackout” programme will be observed across the university from 10:30pm to 10:31pm, except at emergency installations.
Marking the day, a special prayer will be offered after Zuhr prayers at the university’s central mosque Masjidul Jamiya (Dhaka University Central Mosque), seeking eternal peace for the souls of the martyred intellectuals.
Special prayers will also be arranged at other places of worship on the campus.
DU authorities have also taken elaborate programmes to celebrate Independence and National Day on 26 March, 2026.
The programmes include a discussion meeting, placing wreaths at the National Martyrs’ Memorial and special prayers.
National flags will be hoisted at all central buildings, residential halls and hostels of the university at 6am on the day.
Teachers, students, officers, employees and alumni of the university will gather at Smriti Chironton Square at 5:45am.
Later, at 6am, they will proceed to the National Martyrs’ Memorial under the leadership of the vice-chancellor and place wreaths there.
On the occasion, a special prayer will be offered after Zuhr prayers at Masjidul Jamiya for the eternal peace of the martyred intellectuals, while special prayers will also be arranged at other places of worship. Sweets will be distributed among the children of the university employees on the day.
In addition, a discussion meeting titled “Significance of Independence and National Day” will be held at 11:30am on 29 March 2026 at the auditorium of Teacher-Student Centre (TSC).
DU Vice-Chancellor Niaz Ahmed Khan will preside over the meeting. Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Sayma Haque Bidisha, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Mamun Ahmed and Treasurer M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury will attend as honoured guests.
