BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday inaugurated the party’s 36-day-long program titled “July-August Uprising: Mourning and Victory Observance,” marking the first anniversary of the July uprising.
The BNP leader formally launched the program by virtually joining the party’s discussion, “Mass Uprising 2024: National Unity and Democratic Journey,” held at the China-Bangladesh Friendship Conference Centre in the capital.
“We have taken the month-long program to observe the anniversary of the July uprising. We have many other programs. I inaugurate the programs wishing for their all-out success,” he said.
The discussion began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran at around 3:10pm.
A munajat (prayer) was offered, seeking peace for the souls of those martyred during the July uprising and other democratic movements.
A one-minute silence was observed while standing in honour of the martyrs, followed by the playing of the national anthem.
A documentary titled “National Unity and Democratic Journey” was also screened on the occasion.
A deeply emotional moment unfolded as the families of those killed during mass uprisings and democratic movements, as well as victims of enforced disappearances, shared their sorrow and grief over the loss of their loved ones.
Many in the audience, including Tarique, were seen wiping away tears, moved by the speeches of the family members of the martyrs and enforced disappearance victims.
Martyred Abu Sayed’s elder brother Ramjan Ali, Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdho’s father Mostafizur Rahman, Wasim Akram’s father Safiul Alam, Yamin’s father Mohiuddin, Abdullah bin Zahid’s mother Fatima Tuz Zohr, Farhan Fiaz’s sister Saima Islam Farin, Kazi Fahim’s mother Kazi Lulfa, missing BNP leader M Ilias Ali's wife Tahsina Rushdir Luna, Sanjida Islam Tuli, coordinator of Mayer Daak, a platform for the families of enforced disappearance victims, enforced disappearance victim and BNP leader Anisur Rahman Talukder, Adiba Islam Hridi, daughter of enforced disappearance victim and Chhatra Dal leader Parvez Hossain, crossfire victim Nuruzzaman Jony’s brother Moniruzzaman Hira, as well as the fathers of Biswajit and Abrar Fahad, who were brutally killed by ruling party cadres during the Awami League’s rule, Redwad Hossain Riyad, who lost his eyes in police firing during the July uprising, and Navil, who was maimed in a police shooting, also spoke at the program.
BNP leaders said the discussion was organized to honour the memory and sacrifices of those who were killed, went missing, or suffered during the July uprising and other democratic movements.
Former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia addressed the event virtually as the chief guest.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir spoke as a special guest, with the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi presiding over the event.
Leaders from various democratic parties also addressed the program.
A significant number of family members of those who lost their lives or went missing during past political movements, including last year’s uprising, and others affected, attended the event.
Earlier, on Thursday, the party announced a series of programs to be observed from July 1 to August 6, marking one year since the July uprising that led to the fall of autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024.
The program includes discussion meetings, silent marches, rallies, seminars, blood donation campaigns, graffiti painting, street theatre, football tournaments, children’s rights events, and public awareness drives on dengue and covid-19 prevention.
