Let July be a month of nat’l awakening
Staff Reporter :
Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday described the days ahead for Bangladesh as both challenging and full of opportunity, calling on the nation to remain vigilant against any return of authoritarianism. Speaking at the inauguration of a month-long programme to commemorate the July Uprising, he emphasised that a united and awakened populace has always been the strongest force in shaping history.
“The road ahead may be difficult, but it holds great promise,” he said at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Dhaka. “History shows us that when people rise in unity, no power can stand in their way. Let us turn this July into a month of national solidarity and shared awakening.”
Professor Yunus underscored that the July Uprising would now be remembered annually to prevent any recurrence of autocratic rule. “If we even detect the faintest sign of dictatorship, it must be uprooted before it takes hold. We cannot afford to wait as we did before,” he said.
To formally launch the commemoration, the Chief Adviser unveiled a symbolic QR code and presented education scholarship cheques to three National University students. Advisers on Cultural Affairs and Education, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki and CR Abrar, respectively, also spoke at the event.
Reflecting on the events of July 2024, Professor Yunus said the student-led uprising became a powerful expression of the people’s will, sparking a nationwide movement for democracy. “That month marked an awakening-a call to defend democracy and restore the country to its rightful owners, the people.”
He added that this year’s commemoration is more than just symbolic remembrance. “This is not merely an emotional gesture or an outlet for anger. It is a reaffirmation of our broader dream-to rebuild the state and forge a new Bangladesh.”
Paying tribute to those who took part in the movement, he said: “I bow my head to the brave students, workers, farmers, teachers, elders, children, and rickshaw pullers-everyone who stood up for democracy. They are now symbols of our collective resolve.”
Professor Yunus explained that the initiative, which began on 1 July, is intended to do more than honour the past. It aims to inspire continued civic engagement, ensure political accountability, and defend the gains of the past year’s democratic movement.
He said that every key moment from last year’s uprising would be commemorated during the July-August programme, including remembrance of those who were killed or injured. “Through these observances, we renew our commitment to our democratic aspirations-and we will continue to do so every year to ensure dictatorship never re-emerges.”
In his closing remarks, Professor Yunus called on the nation to participate fully in the month-long programme, which he described as a “renaissance of hope and unity.”
“Let this July-August revival breathe life into our dreams and strengthen our unshakeable unity. That is the future we are determined to build,” he said.