“BNP has been involved in dirty politics over the murder of Abrar ... They have failed before, they’ll fail this time and in future as well,” he said while addressing a human chain programme of Bangladesh Swadhinata Parishad in front of the Jatiya Press Club.

The minister expressed solidarity with the emotions of the students. 

He questioned BNP's role in similar killings during their time in power. “When Buet student Soni was shot dead during a Chhatra Dal clash, did they (BNP) take action against their party leaders? They didn’t," he said. 

The minister termed the killing of Abrar brutal. "This is a scandalous and brutal event," he said, adding that the government is sincere about delivering justice. 

"We took immediate action. As the Prime Minister has said, the government is committed to ensuring that the killers get exemplary punishment ... everything possible has been done on behalf of the government and police," he said. 

Zakir Ahmed, Advisor of Shwadhinata Parishad and member of Awami League’s International Affairs Subcommittee, General Secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan South Awami League unit Shah Alam Murad, and Awami League leader Sheikh Mohammad Ali, among others, spoke there.

Abrar, 21, a second-year student of electrical and electronic engineering department of Buet, was beaten to death on Monday reportedly by Chhatra League leaders at Sher-e-Bangla Hall of the university.