The Bangladesh Nationalist Party has announced an extensive programme from July 1 till August 6 titled ‘July-August Uprising: Mourning and Victory Observance,’ which would include events across the country to honour the sacrifices of student protesters and martyrs.
BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday announced the programme at a press conference at the party’s central office at Naya Paltan in the capital city.
Earlier, the BNP formed ‘July-August Uprising: Mourning and Victory Anniversary Observance Committee’ headed by Rizvi to organise and coordinate the programme, with multiple sub-committees operating under its guidance.
The programme will begin at 12:01am on July 1 with a candlelight vigil at the Central Shaheed Minar under the banner ‘Aloy Aloy Smriti Samujjol’ (Illuminated in Memory), organised by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, BNP’s student wing.Â
On July 1, the official inauguration of the observance would take place at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre through a national discussion titled ‘People’s Uprising 2024: National Unity and Democratic Journey,’ which would be attended by representatives from various political parties.
A series of activities would follow throughout July, including a nationwide blood donation campaign on July 3 organised by the Doctors Association of Bangladesh, a commemorative football tournament on July 5 at the Dhanmondi Club playground and a seminar on July 9.
On July 11, Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha would organise a number of cultural performances.
On July 12, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to hold a discussion with families of student martyrs.
On July 15, Chhatra Dal will host an event at the Dhaka University Teacher-Student Centre focusing on the role of social media influencers in the democratic movement. Â
Additionally, student assemblies will be held in Chattogram and Rangpur to commemorate martyrs Wasim and Abu Sayeed.
On July 19, a special event titled ‘People’s Uprising 2024: Role of Private Universities’ will take place at the Bashundhara Convention Centre.Â
The Krishak Dal and the BNP Family will jointly carry out a tree-plantation campaign at Zia Udyan and other locations across the country.
From July 24 to 26, events will include a photography and cartoon exhibition on fascism at Drik Gallery along with graffiti painting and street music performances at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital.Â
Similar graffiti events will be carried out in divisional headquarters on July 27.
On July 28, Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal will hold various service-oriented programmes. Â
The BNP would also hold a mass rally at Ashulia, where six individuals were allegedly burned alive during the 2024 crackdown.
On July 31, the Nationalist Lawyers Forum will organise a ‘March for Justice’ in Dhaka and divisional cities.
On August 2, a street play will be staged focusing on ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s comments during the protests.
On August 1, gatherings and street meetings will be held in key hotspots of the July uprising, including Jatrabari, Mirpur, Uttara and Rampura, under the joint initiative of the BNP North and South city units.Â
Chhatra Dal will organise a large student rally on August 3 at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital city, while BNP’s youth wing will also carry out its own activities throughout the final week.Â
As the government has scheduled its own programmes on August 5, the BNP has designated August 6 as ‘Victory Day of the Mass Uprising,’ which will be marked with a victory procession in Dhaka.
During the press conference, Rizvi said that this year’s July–August observance would pay tribute to the 16-year-long relentless democratic struggle.
He observed that the final wave of student and mass protests in July and August 2024 marked a turning point that forced the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina into retreat, highlighting the triumph of people’s resistance.
Rizvi said that the entire series of events would be conducted under the direct supervision of the observance committee, and that BNP acting chair Tarique Rahman would play a prominent role in several key events.
