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BANGLA EPAPER 📍 Dhaka 📅 Thursday | 16 July 2026, 1 Srabon 1433

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July uprising restored democracy, voting rights: State Minister

Published : Thursday, 16 July, 2026 at 7:07 PM

Observer staff correspondent

The July Uprising restored democracy and the people's right to vote in Bangladesh, State Minister for Labour and Employment Nurul Haque said on Thursday.

Speaking virtually as the chief guest at a discussion marking July Martyrs' Day 2026, the minister said preserving the achievements of the uprising, ensuring citizens' rights and dignity, and standing beside the families of the martyrs are moral responsibilities.

The event was organised by the Galachipa উপজেলা administration at the Upazila Parishad administrative building auditorium in Patuakhali. It was chaired by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abu Zar Md. Ejazul Haque.

Nurul Haque said Abu Sayeed, a student of Begum Rokeya University, became a symbol of resistance after being killed while participating in the student movement against what he described as an authoritarian regime. He said the incident awakened the conscience of the nation and inspired wider public participation in the movement.

The minister also paid tribute to local martyrs, including Russell of Charkajol and Jihad of Dashmina, saying they sacrificed their lives to remove authoritarian rule and protect the country's future.

Highlighting the significance of the movement, he said the July Uprising carries importance beyond Bangladesh, drawing a comparison with Türkiye's 2016 events as an example of people's united efforts to defend democracy.

He urged local administrations, elected representatives and society as a whole to extend continued support and proper recognition to the families of those killed during the movement.

Referring to the national elections held in 2014, 2018 and 2024, Nurul Haque alleged that they had undermined the country's democratic system, adding that the July Uprising paved the way for restoring democracy and protecting citizens' voting rights.

Among others, July movement participants Gazi Nur Alam and Md. Imran Ozuel, Anti-Discrimination Student Movement convener Sahed, and the mother of July martyr Atikur also addressed the discussion.

The programme was attended by Galachipa Police Station Officer-in-Charge Imtiaz Ahmed, Senior Fisheries Officer Jahirunnabi, local political leaders and representatives from various social and administrative organisations.

-SR / HIS

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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury

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