Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu has said that Bangladesh’s Liberation War and the July 2024 Movement are fundamentally different in nature and should not be viewed through the same lens, describing the Liberation War as a struggle for independence and statehood, while characterizing the July Movement as a democratic movement.
He made the remarks on Sunday while participating in the general discussion on the proposed national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year during the 17th sitting of the second and first budget session of the 13th National Parliament. The session was chaired by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal .
Dulu stressed that social crimes cannot be eradicated through stricter laws alone, calling for a collective social movement to combat issues such as drug abuse, gambling, rape, and other societal problems.
“Despite rape carrying the maximum punishment of death, such crimes continue to occur,” he said, attributing the problem to moral and social decline within families and communities. “Alongside enforcing laws, we must work to transform society.”
The minister also announced the launch of “Alokito Lalmoni,” an anti-social crime initiative in Lalmonirhat aimed at tackling five major social problems. The programme is scheduled to be formally inaugurated on July 4. He urged other parts of the country to adopt similar community-based movements.
Describing himself as the son of a martyr, Dulu said his father was killed during the Liberation War. While acknowledging the contribution of the July Movement, he called for state recognition of those who were killed, injured, or otherwise affected during political movements and struggles over the past 17 years.
He recounted the story of a mother who told him her son had been shot dead by police while participating in a protest during that period.
“The July fighters have been listed, but where is the list of those who lost their lives over the past 17 years? Their sacrifices also deserve recognition,” he said.
The minister urged the prime minister to issue an official gazette recognizing those killed, injured, or affected during the political movements and struggles of the past 17 years to ensure they are not subjected to discrimination.
Referring to the Liberation War, Dulu said that three million people sacrificed their lives and around 200,000 women endured sexual atrocities during Bangladesh’s Liberation War.
“Those who gave their lives in the Liberation War sacrificed themselves for the creation of a nation. The July Movement, on the other hand, was a democratic movement. There is no scope to equate the two,” he said.
However, he added that the July Movement also deserves respect, noting that he and his political colleagues were involved in it as well.