Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet (SUST) has inaugurated a lake in honour of Shaheed Rudra Sen, a student who lost his life during the anti-fascist movement of July 2024.

The lake, officially named “Shaheed Rudra Sen Lake,” was inaugurated on Thursday (3 July) evening by Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. A. M. Sarowaruddin Chowdhury. Former Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Musleh Uddin Ahmed, Estate Officer Professor Dr. Md. Abul Hasnat, and faculty members from various departments attended the event alongside students.

Rudra Sen, a student of the 2021–22 session in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Polymer Science, was an active organiser in the student protests. On 18 July 2024, he joined a mass mobilisation at the university’s main gate protesting fascist violence. When police launched an unprovoked assault using rubber bullets, sound grenades, and tear gas, protestors scattered to nearby areas including Topobon, Surma, Akhalia and Madina Market.

Later in the day, members of the banned student wing Chhatra League reportedly joined the attack, storming university residential areas and clashing with demonstrators. As tensions escalated, Rudra and three others attempted to cross a canal near Bagbari using a banana-tree raft to evade further attacks. The raft capsized midstream. While the others managed to swim ashore, Rudra drowned, unable to swim. He was later recovered and taken to Osmani Medical College Hospital, where he was declared dead.

Rudra Sen was the only son of Subir Sen and Shikha Bonik from Dinajpur Sadar. Known for his steadfast participation in demonstrations, he frequently rallied friends via phone calls and messages and led slogans with resounding determination. Until his last moments, he stayed on the front lines.
The newly inaugurated lake stands as both a serene addition to the campus and a lasting tribute to a young life lost in the fight for justice.