Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) student Abrar Fahad has been posthumously honoured with the Independence Award 2025, the country’s highest civilian accolade.
The announcement was made on Monday (3 March), via a verified Facebook post by Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives.
Describing Fahad as a symbol of courage and free thought, the adviser wrote, “Abrar Fahad’s recognition with the posthumous Independence Award 2025 stands as a tribute to his sacrifice. His ideals illuminate our path and inspire us to strive for justice. The nation shall not forget you, Abrar.”
Fahad, a second-year student at BUET, was brutally beaten to death on the night of 7 October 2019 by a group of leaders and activists from the Bangladesh Chhatra League.
On 8 December 2021, a court sentenced 20 BUET students to death for their involvement in the murder.
