PM warns forces who try to destabilise post-facist BD

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday warned that attempts to create unnecessary controversies and destabilise post-fascist Bangladesh could inadvertently pave the way for the return of the ousted authoritarian forces.

"I would like to draw the attention of the people to one issue today. In a Bangladesh freed from fascism, some are trying to create unnecessary issues and destabilise the country. We need to consider whether, knowingly or unknowingly, such actions are facilitating the return of the defeated, deposed and fugitive authoritarian forces," he said.

The prime minister made the remarks while addressing a discussion titled "July 36" after inaugurating the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum at Ganobhaban, on the northern side of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, on the occasion of July Mass Uprising Day.

Former interim government Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus attended the programme as the special guest.
Tarique said the museum should serve as a national institution preserving Bangladesh's democratic struggles rather than promoting the political narrative of any individual, group or party.

"The 2024 mass uprising did not belong to any one individual, group or political party. The true heroes of the uprising are the democratic people of Bangladesh," he said.

He said the museum should preserve not only the memories of the July-August 2024 mass uprising but also the broader history of Bangladesh's democratic movements, presenting future generations with the courage, sacrifices and aspirations of those who fought for democracy as well as the realities of authoritarian rule.

The prime minister said the museum should include photographs, documents, personal belongings of the martyrs, testimonies of the injured, newspaper reports, graffiti, posters, cartoons, poems, songs, paintings and digital 
archives related to the uprising. He stressed that all exhibits must be based on facts and authenticity, warning that incomplete, exaggerated or politically motivated narratives would weaken the credibility of history and create divisions for future generations.

He also suggested presenting museum exhibits in English and other international languages alongside Bangla so foreign visitors could better understand Bangladesh's democratic journey.

Paying tribute to those killed in anti-fascist movements, Tarique said thousands had been subjected to enforced disappearances, abductions and repression during more than one and a half decades of authoritarian rule, while students, workers, women and children lost their lives during the July-August uprising. He expressed sympathy for the bereaved families and reiterated his government's commitment to ensuring transparent, impartial and credible justice through due legal process for all crimes committed during the anti-fascist movement.

He announced that the government had decided to name at least one institution in the respective localities after each person killed during the anti-fascist movement over the past 17 years and the July uprising.

Recalling his oft-repeated remark, the prime minister said the 1971 Liberation War was fought to achieve independence, while the 2024 mass uprising was fought to protect the country's independence and the people's freedom.

Tarique said the government was providing free treatment for injured July fighters in public hospitals, while those critically injured were being sent abroad, including to Thailand, Singapore, Türkiye and Russia, for advanced medical care. He said 50 July fighters were currently undergoing treatment overseas, while more than 13,000 gazetted July fighters were receiving monthly honorariums through their bank accounts.

He also said the government had begun implementing its 31-point election manifesto and the July Charter signed at the South Plaza of Parliament as part of efforts to rebuild the state and fulfil the aspirations of those who sacrificed their lives.

Thanking architects, historians, researchers, museum experts, artists, collectors and others involved in establishing the museum, Tarique expressed hope that Bangladesh would never again become a subservient state.
Following the inauguration, the prime minister toured the museum with Prof Yunus.

The museum houses photographs of the July uprising, belongings of the martyrs, letters, important documents, newspaper clippings, audio-visual materials and exhibits depicting enforced disappearances, state repression, attacks on political opponents, the killings during the 2024 uprising and the circumstances surrounding the fall of the previous regime.

The programme began with the national anthem, followed by recitations from the Holy Quran and other religious scriptures. Family members of several July uprising martyrs, including the mothers of Shariar Khan Anas and Abdullah Bin Jahid, as well as July warrior Tabassum Parpti, shared their memories.

Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmood Khyom, Prime Minister's Adviser on Information and Cultural Affairs Zahed Ur Rahman and Cultural Affairs Secretary Kaniz Moula also addressed the programme.

Among those present were Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood, Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan, Prime Minister's daughter Zaima Rahman, cabinet members, lawmakers, the chiefs of the three services, diplomats, academics, civil society representatives, families of the July martyrs, injured July warriors and senior government officials.

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh for India on August 5, 2024, amid a student-led mass uprising. Three days later, an interim government led by Prof Muhammad Yunus assumed office. During its tenure, Ganobhaban was transformed into the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum to preserve photographs, documents and other artefacts related to the uprising and its historical significance.