Nation pays tribute to July martyrs  

The July Uprising Day was observed across the country for the second consecutive year on Wednesday with solemn tributes, profound emotion and public participation, as the nation honoured those who sacrificed their lives and were injured during the July 2024 Mass Uprising that toppled Awami League regime.

Government institutions, political parties, educational establishments, socio-cultural organisations and civil society groups organised series of programmes in the capital and across the country, including rallies, discussions, prayer services, cultural performances, memorial ceremonies and receptions for the families of the martyrs and the injured.

The commemorations reflected the nation's continued commitment to preserving the legacy of the Uprising and paying tribute to those who fought for democracy and justice.

The day's programmes began with the inauguration of the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum in the capital by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The museum preserves photographs, documents, personal belongings and audiovisual records related to the July Movement.

Speaking at the inauguration, Cultural Affairs Adviser Nitai Roy Chowdhury described the July uprising as a landmark in Bangladesh's democratic struggle and resistance against authoritarian rule. He said the museum had been established to preserve the history of the movement for future generations and would also serve as a centre for research on the uprising.

"The July Mass Uprising was the culmination of nearly two decades of struggle against authoritarianism. The sacrifices made by the martyrs and the injured will remain forever etched in the nation's history," he said, adding that the  
government intended to ensure systematic documentation of the movement.

Later in the day, the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs organised a reception for the families of the July martyrs and those injured during the movement at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre in Agargaon. 

Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmed attended the programme as the chief guest, alongside cabinet members, diplomats, political leaders, families of the victims and representatives from different sectors.

However, the ceremony soon turned contentious after a documentary on the July uprising was screened.
Leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) alleged that the documentary failed to accurately portray key events of the movement, including the role of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, the nine-point programme, the one-point declaration announced on August 3 and the contributions of several organisers. They also objected to the omission of martyr Abu Sayeed, widely regarded as one of the defining symbols of the uprising.

The protest quickly escalated into a heated exchange inside the auditorium as some participants voiced their objections. Amid the commotion, several foreign diplomats were seen leaving the venue before the programme resumed.

Attempting to defuse the situation, Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan acknowledged that if there were factual inaccuracies in the documentary, they would be corrected.

Home Affairs Adviser Salahuddin Ahmed also appealed for calm, saying the July Uprising belonged to the entire nation rather than to any individual or political party.

"If, after emerging from authoritarian rule, we continue asking who owns July, then July will belong to none of us," he said, warning against turning the movement into a partisan issue.

He stressed that the spirit of the uprising should unite rather than divide the country and urged political forces to avoid claiming exclusive ownership of its legacy.

NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain briefly addressed the gathering, saying that his party could not remain at a state programme that, in his view, presented only a partial account of history.

He argued that the omission of significant chapters of the movement would mislead future generations and undermine the sacrifices made during the uprising. Following his remarks, NCP leaders left the venue in protest.

In his address, Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmed expressed regret over the disruption, saying mistakes could occur but should be corrected through dialogue rather than confrontation.

Hafiz Uddin Ahmed also called for unity despite political differences, saying national interests, democracy and sovereignty should remain above partisan considerations.

Criticising the ousted Awami League, he said history would not forgive those who failed to learn from past mistakes and urged political leaders to avoid divisive politics.