Bangladesh is observing July Mass Uprising Day today with nationwide programmes, commemorating the student-led mass uprising that culminated in the fall of the Awami League government on Aug 5, 2024.
The day is being observed with state ceremonies, political programmes and tributes to those killed and injured during the uprising.
The government, political parties and socio-cultural organisations have taken various programmes, marking the day.
The minister, state minister, secretary, officials, and employees of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, along with people from different walks of life, placed wreaths at the July Martyrs' Memorial in Shahbagh in the morning.
At noon, a reception will be accorded to the families of the July martyrs and the July fighters at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital. Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmad will attend the function as the chief guest.
Dhaka University is also observing the 2nd anniversary of the July Mass Uprising with a series of programmes, including the foundation-laying of a July Memorial and a dedicated July Corner in the university's Central Library.
A discussion on the July uprising will be held at the TSC where five families of the July martyrs will be honoured, and a prayer session will be held after Asr prayers at the Central Mosque, seeking eternal peace for the martyrs.
Bangladesh missions abroad also chalked out discussion programmes on the occasion.
Religious institutions across the country are organising special munajat and prayers.
Meanwhile, acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmad and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued separate messages on the occasion of July Mass Uprising Day.
In his message, Hafiz Uddin extended his heartfelt greetings and congratulations to the valiant July warriors and all patriotic citizens of the country, saying the nation will forever remember their extraordinary sacrifices, boundless courage and outstanding contributions as an enduring source of inspiration.
He also called for upholding the dignity of the martyrs’ sacrifices, building a humane Bangladesh that belongs to the people, where fascist and authoritarian rule, as well as extremism, will never again find a place.
The acting President urged all to unite in building a new Bangladesh that is democratic, just, humane, free from discrimination, happy and prosperous and work together to realise the dreams, ideals, hopes and aspirations of the martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War of Independence and the July Mass Uprising.
In his message, the Prime Minister described August 5 as a day of joy, a day of victory and a day of the restoration of democratic political rights for all those who cherish freedom and democracy.
He said for more than one and a half decades, in the struggle against fascism and for the restoration of the people's right to vote and their democratic rights, the BNP, other anti-fascist political parties, and the people of differing views had to endure limitless persecution and repression.
