Rajshahi University (RU) on Wednesday hosted an open discussion titled 'Evolution of Bangladeshi Culture: Reflections After the July Uprising'. The event, organised by the university's Writer Forum, took place at the conference room of the Deans' Complex.
Addressing the event as the chief guest, RU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Dr Mohammad Main Uddin said, "To make any revolution sustainable, political change alone is not enough. It requires rebuilding social trust, igniting cultural awakening, and embedding democratic values into everyday life."
"When people's language, experience and culture remain at the centre of nation-building, change leaves a lasting imprint on social character and state policy," he noted.
Prof Dr Akhtar Hossain Majumdar, administrator of the RU's Public Relations Office, said the biggest challenge for the post-July Bangladesh is to create a truly inclusive cultural space.
"Years of political repression fostered a defensive cultural practice. The July Uprising has given us a new opening. We now need new languages, new narratives, and new social dialogues. The revolution will be fulfilled only when art, literature, music and media can freely express people's realities, aspirations and struggles," he added.
Prof Dr Abul Hashem, former dean of the Faculty of Science, said, "The July Uprising has opened a new horizon of cultural consciousness. For long, fear, self-censorship, and a 'don't-speak culture' overwhelmed our society. Our task now is to organise this wave of creative freedom and turn it into a stable, institutional foundation. If we can build a cultural bridge from villages to cities, this revolution will go beyond a mere change of power."
The discussion was presided over by Prof Muhammad Shariful Islam. Cultural analyst Fahmid-Ur-Rahman attended the event as the keynote speaker; while Prof Dr Belal Hossain, dean of the Faculty of Arts, was present as the guest of honour.
RUCSU Treasurer Prof Dr Setaur Rahman, Prof Dr Mostafa Kamal Akand, and writer Nazib Wadud also spoke on the occasion. A number of teachers and students were also present.
