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Shaheed Noor Hossain Day is being observed across Bangladesh today (Tuesday), commemorating the 39th anniversary of the death of pro-democracy activist Noor Hossain, who was killed by police during an anti-autocracy movement on November 10, 1987.
Noor Hossain was taking part in a procession against the autocratic rule of then president Hussain Muhammad Ershad when police opened fire on protesters near the capital’s Zero Point, now known as Shaheed Noor Hossain Square.
The young activist had the slogans “Down with autocracy” and “Let democracy be free” painted on his chest and back, respectively. The slogans became enduring symbols of the movement for democracy in Bangladesh.
His death intensified the anti-Ershad movement, which culminated in a mass uprising and the fall of Ershad’s government on December 6, 1990.
Various political, social and cultural organisations have taken programmes to mark the day, including placing wreaths at Shaheed Noor Hossain Square in Gulistan and holding discussions and prayers in his memory.