An empty seat where Shahid Ahnaf sat; an homage by his BAF classmates

The hallways of BAF Shaheen College Dhaka are bustling again. 

After a month of nationwide turmoil, marked by the student-led anti-discrimination revolution that ultimately ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, students returned to their classrooms, eyes on exams which have also begun. 

Yet, amid the hum of pencils on paper and the quiet determination of students, there is a saddening reminder of the price paid for this hard-won peace.

In one of the classrooms, a desk sits empty. 

It is not forgotten, nor is it abandoned. 

Instead, it is a tribute, a symbol of loss and bravery, reserved in memory of Shahid Ahnaf. 

Shafiq Uddin Ahmed Ahnaf, a 17-year-old bright and promising student of class 11 in BAF Shaheen College Dhaka, lost his life during the protests that swept through the nation.

As classes resumed, Ahnaf's classmates felt the weight of his absence keenly. 

They knew they couldn't just move on, so they decided to honour him in the most heartfelt way they could – by keeping his place in the classroom, adorned with flowers. 

It is a silent yet powerful reminder of the cost of the freedom they now enjoy. 

Born and raised in a modest household, Ahnaf was known for his sharp mind and compassionate heart. 

He used to play football. 

He had bought a guitar recently with his savings. He had learned to play it all by himself with the help of YouTube. 

When the protests began, Ahnaf was at the forefront, leading chants, and inspiring others to join the cause.

On that fateful day of 4 August, as the protest escalated into violence, Ahnaf found himself in the midst of chaos in Mirpur-10. 

He was shot in his belly and ultimately succumbed to his injuries, becoming one of the many martyrs who would never see the fruits of their labour. 

Someone must have covered Ahnaf with a flag while taking him to the hospital. 

His family members found the flag as well lying beside his dead body at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital morgue. He was buried in his grandmother's grave at Shahid Buddhijibi Graveyard in Mirpur. 

The students who fought for justice were driven by a deep sense of purpose, and a desire to create a future where equality and freedom would be the cornerstones of their society. 

Ahnaf embodied this spirit, and his sacrifice became a rallying point for those who continued the struggle after him.

Now, as life at BAF Shaheen College slowly returns to normal, Ahnaf's classmates ensure that his memory remains alive. 

The empty desk is more than just a gesture; it is a symbol of the enduring impact of his life. It is a reminder to every student who enters the classroom of the cost of their education, the freedom they now have, and the responsibility they carry to honour the legacy of those who made it possible.

In a country that is rebuilding and redefining itself, the story of Shahid Ahnaf and the tribute paid to him by his classmates is a reminder of the power of unity, the importance of remembrance, and the hope that out of tragedy, a brighter future can emerge