At Islamic University in Kushtia, student leaders of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) protested late Friday night after the name of former president Ziaur Rahman was not mentioned during a prayer and supplication held to mark Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day. The event took place around 12:30 a.m. at the university’s central Shaheed Minar, following floral tributes and a minute of silence for the martyrs.

According to reports, the prayer included references to language martyrs and other national heroes but omitted Ziaur Rahman and his family. JCD activists objected immediately, arguing that Zia was not only a former president but also the university’s founder. They demanded an explanation from university officials. A second prayer was later conducted by the central mosque’s imam, who then included Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia, Arafat Rahman Koko, and Tarique Rahman by name.

The incident led to heated exchanges between student groups and university administrators, including the pro-vice-chancellor and leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement. The confrontation continued near the Diana Chattar area before subsiding.