BNP acting secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said Kazi Nazrul Islam’s message teaches people to resist anyone conspiring against the country’s sovereignty. He made the remarks on Thursday morning after paying tribute at the national poet’s grave at the University of Dhaka, on Nazrul’s 50th death anniversary.

Rizvi described Nazrul as a poet of the era who spoke against injustice throughout his life. He said the poet taught people to protest oppression and repression and remained a key inspiration in movements and struggles, from the independence movement to the 2024 mass uprising.

Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal’s University of Dhaka unit earlier placed flowers at the grave. Its president Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas said Nazrul was being remembered with deep respect and that building a humane, non-discriminatory society based on equality, humanity, harmony and patriotism would be the best tribute. The source said Nazrul’s poetry, songs and writings remain relevant in Bengali consciousness against injustice, exploitation and discrimination.