25 March 1971 — the black night

On the night of 25 March 1971 the Pakistani occupation forces began the genocide they called “Operation Searchlight”, and Jagannath Hall was among the first targets. The lifeless bodies of some of the country's brightest students lay scattered across the hall. The bloodshed at the University of Dhaka began at Jagannath Hall that night — and with it, the great War of Liberation.

At least 57 teachers, students and staff of the hall were killed, among them the philosopher and provost Dr. Govinda Chandra Dev and Professor Jyotirmoy Guhathakurta. We remember the martyrs of that night with deepest respect.