President urges unity to fulfill dreams of July martyrs

President Mohammed Shahabuddin has called upon people from all walks of life, regardless of political affiliation or ideology, to work together to build a discrimination-free, democratic, accountable and justice-based Bangladesh envisioned by the martyrs of the July uprising.

In a message issued on Wednesday marking ‘July Martyrs’ Day’, the president said the day holds great significance in the history of Bangladesh. He paid deep respect and expressed gratitude to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the July 2024 mass uprising.

The president also paid tribute to the young men and women who were injured during the movement, saying many of them are still enduring painful lives after becoming physically disabled. He expressed deep sympathy to the families of the martyrs and recalled with gratitude the sacrifices and contributions of the July fighters and all patriotic citizens who took part in the uprising.

Describing the July mass uprising as an outburst of public anger against long-standing discrimination, corruption, enforced disappearances, killings, deprivation of voting rights, repression and authoritarian rule, Shahabuddin said the movement reflected the collective aspirations and sacrifices of democracy-loving people.

He recalled the death of Abu Sayed in Rangpur on July 16, 2024, saying his sacrifice, along with those of several other youths across the country on the same day, gave the movement a new momentum. Later, the movement gained a broader public character through the participation of students from public and private universities and people from different sections of society.

The president said the uprising was not the achievement of any individual, political party or group, but the outcome of the collective courage, aspirations and sacrifices of the people.

He said the sacrifices of the July martyrs remind the nation that the people are the source of state power and the ultimate owners of sovereignty. Ensuring citizens’ fundamental rights, dignity, interests and justice is the state’s highest responsibility, he added.

Shahabuddin said the spirit of July inspires the country to build a humane, authoritarianism-free, equitable and corruption-free state.

He said the current democratic government is committed to providing proper recognition and respect to the July martyrs and injured fighters, ensuring the welfare of their families, rehabilitating the injured and ensuring fair trials for those responsible for the killings.

The president urged affluent individuals, institutions and humanitarian organisations to come forward alongside the government to support these initiatives.

He prayed for eternal peace and forgiveness for the souls of all martyrs of the July uprising and wished success for all programmes undertaken to observe ‘July Martyrs Day’.

-HIS