‘Shaheed Osman Hadi Memorial Book Fair’ to begin at DU

Bangla Press Desk:  The five-day ‘Shaheed Osman Hadi Memorial Book Fair–2026’ will begin on 18 January at the TSC Paira Chattar of Dhaka University, aiming to promote the ideals of resistance, free thinking and cultural activism among young people.

The fair, jointly organised by the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and the Bangladesh Tarun Lethak Forum, DU unit, will continue until 22 January. It will remain open to visitors every day from 9:00am to 9:00pm.

Omar bin Hadi, brother of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, will inaugurate the event. Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan will attend as the chief guest, while DUCSU Vice-President Abu Shadik Kayem and other student leaders will join as special guests.

Dhaka University Writers’ Forum President Ashik Khan announced the fair at a press conference held in front of Madhur Canteen on Monday afternoon. The organisation’s General Secretary Abid Hasan Rafi and DUCSU Literature and Cultural Secretary Musaddiq Ali Ibne Mohammad were also present.

In a written statement, Ashiq Khan said Shaheed Osman Hadi was not merely an individual, but a symbol of the spirit of protest of the time. He described Hadi as an uncompromising voice against injustice, Indian hegemony, fascism and oppression, whose ideals continue to inspire the youth.

“The main objective of this book fair is to present the life, ideals and struggle of Shaheed Osman Hadi to the new generation and to establish books as a tool of resistance and free thinking,” he said.

He added that stalls from various publishing houses would take part in the fair. Besides book exhibitions, the organisers have arranged memorial meetings, discussions, seminars, interactive sessions with young writers and readers, and special events focusing on the life and struggle of Shaheed Osman Hadi.

“We believe this book fair is not just a cultural event. It will be a meeting place to stand against injustice and to raise a strong voice for freedom of thought and justice,” Ashik Khan said.

Speaking at the event, DUCSU Literature and Cultural Secretary Musaddiq Ali Ibne Mohammad said, “This is our initiative to take forward the cultural struggle of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi.”

He also announced that the memorial book fair would be organised every year on a regular basis.

BP/SP