Staff Reporter :
The National Citizen Party (NCP) has announced a month-long nationwide campaign titled Desh Gorte July Padojatra (“July March to Build the Nation”), set to run from 1 to 30 July, marking the first anniversary of the 2024 July Uprising.
Speaking at a press conference at the party’s temporary office in Banglamotor on Saturday, NCP convener Nahid Islam said the initiative aims to engage citizens across all 64 districts of Bangladesh through a series of public meetings, community dialogues, and visits to the families of those who lost their lives during last year’s protests.
“This is a journey of connection and commitment,” said Nahid. “We will return to sites of struggle, hear directly from affected communities, and renew our pledge to build a more just and inclusive Bangladesh.”
The campaign will commence with a tribute at the grave of Abu Sayed, who was killed during the anti-discrimination protests of 2024. In his memory, 16 July will be observed as Anti-Discrimination Martyrs’ Day.
In a notable announcement, Nahid revealed that the NCP will unveil the long-awaited July Declaration-which was initially expected from the government by the end of 2024-on 3 August at the Central Shaheed Minar. The party will also observe 5 August as People’s Liberation Day.
“The government failed to fulfil its promise to deliver the declaration,” Nahid said. “We can no longer wait. It is now our responsibility to honour the sacrifices made and outline a vision for the future.”
Reflecting on last year’s events, he added: “A year has passed since the July Uprising. While it brought significant progress, much remains unfinished. Remembering the 36 days of July and August is not only political – it is a moral imperative.”
The NCP’s initiative comes amid a wave of renewed political engagement, with both emerging and established parties seeking to align themselves with the values of the 2024 movement, which played a pivotal role in reshaping the country’s democratic discourse.
