NCP holds prog marking July Uprising anniv

The party will hold memorial visits, rallies, discussions, cultural events and meetings with families of those killed and injured from 1 July to 5 August

The National Citizen Party has announced a 36-day programme to mark the second anniversary of the July Uprising.

The programmes, scheduled from 1 July to 5 August, will include memorial visits, processions, discussions, rallies, cultural events, coffin marches, football tournaments, and meetings with the families of those killed and injured during the uprising.

NCP Chief Organiser for the southern region Hasnat Abdullah announced the programme at a press conference at the party’s central office in Dhaka today.

According to the schedule, the programme will begin on 1 July with a visit to the Rayerbazar mass grave site. On the same day, the party will hold a solidarity meeting with anti-fascist student organisations and announce a month-long roadmap for nationwide marches demanding justice and the implementation of a referendum.

From 2 to 8 July, NCP will carry out graffiti, wall writing and banner campaigns across the country under the “July Awakening” programme. A “July Memorial Football Tournament” will be held from 5 to 9 July.
Throughout the month, the party will organise discussions, cultural events and youth conventions focusing on the roles of women, farmers, students, doctors, workers, entrepreneurs, teachers and the media during the uprising.

On 16 July, the party will hold prayers at the graves of those killed in the uprising, along with nationwide doa and munajat. A coffin march demanding trials over “fascism” is scheduled for 17 July, while 18 July will be observed as “Private University Resistance Day”.

The August programmes will include events titled “Patriotism Uniform”, “Revolution in the News”, “July Protest March” and “People’s One Point Demand”. The party will also publish a commemorative booklet and hold meetings with injured persons and the families of those killed.

The programme will conclude with a “Victory Celebration” on 5 August.
NCP said it has formed a “July Reawakening Implementation Committee” to coordinate the events. Hasnat Abdullah has been made convener of the committee, while Ali Ahsan Zonaed will serve as member secretary.

The party also said its diaspora alliance will organise parallel programmes in different countries with the participation of expatriate Bangladeshis.

Speaking at the press conference, Hasnat criticised the government’s position on July-related initiatives, saying the movement was aimed at systemic change and a reordering of society.

He also said that despite the significance of the anniversary, the government has yet to announce any programme marking the occasion.