Dhaka: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today paid tribute to those who were killed and injured during the July 2024 movement, saying their sacrifices paved the way for a renewed opportunity to restore democracy and the rights of the people.
In a message marking July Martyrs’ Day, the Prime Minister said July 16 is being observed across the country with profound respect, mourning and gratitude for the martyrs, alongside a renewed commitment to institutionalising democracy in every sphere of national life.
Recalling the events of July 16, 2024, he said at least six people were killed during the anti-fascist movement, including Abu Sayeed, a student of the Department of English at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, and Mohammad Wasim Akram, a college student in Chattogram.
The Prime Minister said the image of Abu Sayeed standing before police with his arms outstretched before being shot became a defining symbol of resistance.
“In Rangpur, Shaheed Abu Sayeed stood before the police with his arms outstretched, baring his chest in defiance. The image of police firing at Abu Sayeed stirred intense outrage among people who aspired to democracy,” he said.
He added that what began as a movement demanding quota reform soon evolved into a nationwide struggle against authoritarian rule.
“What had begun as a movement demanding quota reform soon transformed into a movement to overthrow the fascist government,” he said.
According to the Prime Minister, the united movement of students and the public ultimately forced the country’s autocratic ruler to flee.
He offered prayers for the eternal peace of the souls of Abu Sayeed, Mohammad Wasim Akram and all those who lost their lives on July 16.
Describing the day as a historic turning point, Tarique Rahman said unarmed students and ordinary citizens had shown extraordinary courage in the face of state repression, lethal force and intimidation.
“The unforgettable image of Martyr Abu Sayeed standing with his arms outstretched at Begum Rokeya University, fearlessly confronting injustice, was not merely a moment in time; it became a symbol of a nation deprived of democratic rights overcoming fear,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the July Mass Uprising was more than a protest movement.
“It was the united resistance of the entire nation against one and a half decades of fascism, institutionalized corruption, plunder, enforced disappearances, killings, repression and the denial of voting rights imposed upon the people,” he said.
He said the sacrifices made during the movement created a renewed opportunity for Bangladesh to restore the dignity, rights and democratic aspirations of its people.
“Two years after that historic mass uprising, our government remains firmly committed to honoring the sacred sacrifices of the martyrs,” he said.
Expressing confidence that their sacrifices would never be forgotten, Tarique Rahman said the spirit of the July Mass Uprising would continue to inspire the nation.
“The blood of the martyrs can never be shed in vain. The immortal spirit of the July Mass Uprising is not only a source of pride in our history but also an inspiration for building our future,” he said.
The Prime Minister said Bangladesh has now embarked on the path of democracy by following the legacy of those who sacrificed their lives to establish the rights of the people.
“We can best repay the debt owed to the martyrs of the democratic movement by building a safe, humane, self-reliant and democratic Bangladesh for all citizens,” he said.
He also wished a speedy recovery to all those who were injured during the July Mass Uprising.
