Bangladesh Nationalist Party chair Begum Khaleda Zia stressed the urgency of acting on the opportunity created by the July-August mass uprising to institutionalise democracy, while BNP acting chair Tarique Rahman underscored the need to seize this chance to build a democratic Bangladesh.
They made the remarks on Tuesday at the inaugural day of the month-long programme to honour the sacrifices of student protesters and martyrs during the July uprising in 2024.
The official inauguration of the observance took place at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital with a national discussion titled 鈥楳ass Uprising 2024: National Unity and Democratic Journey.鈥�
鈥楢t any cost, we must ensure that the bloodshed of our heroes and the tears of mothers do not go in vain. Unity must be preserved,鈥� Khaleda Zia said while addressing the discussion as the chief guest.
She said that fascism had fallen through the collective uprising of the students and the mass people, creating an opportunity to build a new Bangladesh.
The former prime minister expressed her sincere respect to those who had participated in the movement and extended her condolences to the injured, saying that the nation would remember their sacrifice forever.
She emphasised that a list should be prepared of those who had been victims of disappearance, murder, and extrajudicial killing, and called for speedy trials in these regards.
Khaleda Zia further stressed the need to ensure a dignified rehabilitation and a secure future for every affected family.
BNP acting chair Tarique Rahman announced the inauguration of the programme urging everyone to realise the ideals for which the martyrs sacrificed their lives and to build the Bangladesh they had envisioned.
Commenting on proposed reforms under the interim government, he said that various political parties had submitted proposals after thoughtful consideration. I will request the party leaders to carefully evaluate whether these proposals are truly suitable in the context of present-day Bangladesh.鈥�
In a final appeal to all leaders, activists, supporters, and well-wishers of the democratic political parties 鈥� including the BNP 鈥� he called for unity in the spirit of the martyrs.
The national anthem was sung to open the BNP鈥檚 commemorative programme titled 鈥楯uly鈥揂ugust Uprising: Mourning and Victory Observance鈥�, but it was the voices of grieving families that truly gave weight to the day.
One after another, mothers, fathers, children, and siblings of those killed, disappeared, or injured took to the stage, transforming the political event into a profoundly human story of pain, loss, and an unwavering demand for justice.
In front of a silent audience, Shanjida Islam Tuli, convener of Mayer Dak, a platform of families who lost their members, stood firm.
Her voice did not tremble as she demanded that those responsible for enforced disappearances 鈥� including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina 鈥� must be brought to justice.
Abida Islam Hridi, daughter of disappeared Chhatra Dal leader Parvez Islam, shared the pain of growing up without her father.
Parvez was abducted in December 2013 and has never been seen since.
鈥楢fter the Uprising, we visited Ayna Ghars. My name was found scribbled on the wall of an Ayna Ghar. Perhaps my father was kept there... perhaps he thought of me,鈥� Hridi said.
Ananta Das, father of slain youth Biswajit Das, demanded justice for the brutal killing of his son.
On December 9, 2012, 24-year-old Biswajit was hacked to death in broad daylight by activists of the Bangladesh Chhatra League.
Md Barkatullah, father of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology student Abrar Fahad 鈥� who was beaten to death in a campus hall 鈥� echoed the demand, stating, 鈥榃e want justice, not just sympathy.鈥�
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, along with BNP standing committee members Mirza Abbas and Salahuddin Ahmed, senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Nagarik Oikya president Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami joint secretary general Abdul Halim, 12-Party Alliance coordinator Mostafa Jamal Haider, Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh general secretary Saiful Haque, Amar Bangladesh Party president Mujibur Rahman Monju, Ganosamhati Andolan chief coordinator Zonayed Saki, and National Citizen Party joint convener Ariful Islam Adib, were among those who spoke at the event.
