Nation reflects on legacy of July uprising
Staff Reporter :
The country on Tuesday observed the first anniversary of the historic July Uprising, which a year ago led to the end of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 16-year tenure. Daylong programmes were held across the nation to pay tribute to student martyrs – most notably university student Abu Sayeed – and to reflect on the mass student-led movement that galvanised nationwide calls for democratic change.
From early morning, events unfolded in cities and university campuses through rallies, remembrance processions, prayer gatherings, panel discussions, and cultural performances. These activities were marked by renewed appeals to safeguard the democratic achievements of 2024.
The newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP) commenced its commemorative events with a special prayer at the grave of Abu Sayeed in Babanpur, Pirganj, Rangpur. Sayeed’s death on 16 July 2024 became a defining moment in the anti-government protests, turning student demonstrations into a full-scale public uprising.
Addressing a gathering at the gravesite, NCP central convener Nahid Islam stated, “His martyrdom was the moment the protest transformed into a nationwide movement. The country grieved, and then it rose.”
Nahid recalled the emotional turmoil on the day of Sayeed’s death, saying: “We were at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka when the news reached us. He was a gifted student and a leading organiser. His death awakened an entire generation.” The NCP also launched a symbolic “July Walkathon” on Tuesday, beginning from Sayeed’s village. The campaign aims to travel across districts as a grassroots initiative to promote democratic values and civic engagement.
In the capital, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus inaugurated a month-long series of observances at his office, describing the uprising as a “watershed moment in the nation’s history.” He called for the anniversary to be marked annually to ensure that authoritarianism does not return.
“We will commemorate this uprising every year as a safeguard-so that we are never again forced to wait 16 years to reclaim our democratic rights,” Yunus said. Reflecting on the events of 2024, he referred to July as a “season of awakening” and commended the student movement for sparking a peaceful and transformative shift in the country’s political landscape.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) also observed the anniversary with a discussion event titled “Mass Uprising 2024: National Unity and the Democratic Journey”, held at the China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka.
The programme began with prayers for those who lost their lives during the protests, followed by a minute of silence. Senior BNP leaders spoke on the importance of preserving the democratic gains of the past year and fostering a pluralistic political environment.
“We must honour the sacrifices of the students and the people by remaining committed to a united and democratic future,” a BNP leader remarked during the session.
The event concluded with the national anthem – a symbolic affirmation of the values and aspirations that fuelled last year’s uprising and continue to guide the nation’s democratic journey.