A prayer and discussion meeting was held in Mirpur, Dhaka, to remember Syed Upal Bakht Hashemi, a former central leader of Bangladesh Students Union and an organizer of the anti-autocracy movement of the 1990s. The event took place after Asr prayers on Friday, August 7, at Masjidul Faruk in the Journalists’ Residential Area and at the late leader’s residence. A special prayer was offered for his soul.

Speakers highlighted Hashemi’s eventful life, struggles and significant contribution to the student movement. Those present included his father, former state minister Syed Didar Bakht Hashemi; Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Hossain; Jatiya Party senior leader Ruhul Amin Hawlader; and former National Board of Revenue chairman Dr Mohammad Abdul Majid. Politicians, social workers, businesspeople and senior journalists also paid tribute.

Hashemi, 59, fell ill at Agargaon Metro Station on Monday afternoon and was taken to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, where a doctor declared him dead. Bangladesh Students Union, the Communist Party of Bangladesh and several student organizations expressed deep condolences. A chemistry postgraduate from Dhaka University, he was a front-line organizer during the 1990 anti-Ershad movement.