Liberation war affairs ministry adviser Faruk-e-Azam on Monday said that there would be no quota in government jobs for those recognised as ‘July fighters’, injured in the July uprising in 2024.
The mass uprising ousted the Sheikh Hasina-led authoritarian regime of Awami League on August 5, 2024.
Faruk-e-Azam came up with the remarks in replay to a question from reporters at a press briefing organised by the ministry at the press information department at the secretariat in the capital Dhaka.
He said, ‘There will be no job quota for July fighters, but the government is committed to supporting them based on their qualifications and needs through employment or business opportunities.’
He said that the ministry had formulated a rehabilitation programme for the July fighters, which did not include job quotas or the allocation of government flats.
‘All activities will be undertaken according to the ministry’s rehabilitation plan. As part of the government’s initiative, every family of a July uprising martyr is being given savings certificates worth Tk 30 lakh,’ he said.
In the 2024–25 financial year which ended on June 30, 772 families received Tk 10 lakh each in savings certificates, he added.
Addressing concerns about distribution, Faruk-e-Azam said that if disputes arose over whether the martyr’s spouse or parents should receive the benefits, the matter would be settled according to inheritance laws.
About the rehabilitation plans, the adviser said, ‘There is a comprehensive rehabilitation programme. Rehabilitation can take various forms. Based on their skills and interests, the government will provide necessary support to help them become self-reliant.’
‘If someone wants to pursue self-employment through poultry, livestock, or fish farming, the government will assist them accordingly,’ he said.
Faruk-e-Azam also said that on December 12, the ministry was officially tasked with overseeing all administrative responsibilities related to the welfare of July uprising martyrs and the injured.
The government also established a ‘Directorate of July Mass Uprising’ on April 28 to oversee the finalisation of the list of martyrs and injured, provide financial aid, medical support and ensure proper rehabilitation.
The government has recognised those killed during the uprising as ‘July martyrs’ and those injured as ‘July fighters’ through the July Uprising Martyrs and Fighters Welfare and Rehabilitation Ordinance, 2025.
According to the Health Services Division, the ministry published a gazette listing 844 martyrs — 834 as of January 15 and another 10 added on June 30.
The July fighters have been categorised by injury type into three groups: 493 in category ‘A’, who are severely injured and cannot live independently, 9,008 in category ‘B’, who are partially disabled, and 10,642 in category ‘C’, who recovered fully after treatment.
A new list of 1,769 individuals, including 114 in category ‘A’, 213 in category ‘B’, and 1,442 in category ‘C’ is awaiting verification and will be gazetted soon.
For July fighters, category ‘A’ recipients will receive Tk 5 lakh each, category ‘B’ will get Tk 3 lakh and category ‘C’ fighters will receive Tk 1 lakh each.
Apart from this, martyr families and category ‘A’ fighters receive Tk 20,000 each as monthly allowances, category ‘B’ fighters Tk 15,000, and category ‘C’ fighters Tk 10,000.
A total of 75 July fighters have been sent abroad for advanced treatment. Currently, 46 are undergoing treatment abroad, while another 32 await travel.
The government spent over Tk 78.52 crore on overseas medical care. In FY25, a total of Tk 259.68 crore was spent on treatment, grants and savings certificates.
