Bangladesh is observing July Mass Uprising Day today with nationwide programs, commemorating the student-led mass uprising that culminated in the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024.
The day is being observed with state ceremonies, political programs and tributes to those killed and injured during the uprising.
The government, political parties and socio-cultural organisations have taken various programs, marking the day.
The minister, state minister, secretary, officials, and employees of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, along with people from different walks of life, placed wreaths at the July Martyrs' Memorial in Shahbagh on Wednesday morning.
At noon, a reception will be accorded to the families of the July martyrs and the July fighters at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital. Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmad will attend the function as the chief guest.
Dhaka University is also observing the 2nd anniversary of the July Mass Uprising with a series of programs, including the foundation-laying of a July Memorial and a dedicated July Corner in the university's Central Library.
A discussion on the July uprising will be held at the TSC where five families of the July martyrs will be honoured, and a prayer session will be held after Asr prayers at the Central Mosque, seeking eternal peace for the martyrs.
Bangladesh missions abroad also chalked out discussion programs on the occasion.
Religious institutions across the country are organising special munajat and prayers.
Meanwhile, acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmad and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued separate messages on the occasion of July Mass Uprising Day.
In his message, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad extended his heartfelt greetings and congratulations to the valiant July warriors and all patriotic citizens of the country, saying the nation will forever remember their extraordinary sacrifices, boundless courage and outstanding contributions as an enduring source of inspiration.
He also called for upholding the dignity of the martyrs’ sacrifices, building a humane Bangladesh that belongs to the people, where fascist and authoritarian rule, as well as extremism, will never again find a place.
The acting president urged all to unite in building a new Bangladesh that is democratic, just, humane, free from discrimination, happy and prosperous and work together to realise the dreams, ideals, hopes and aspirations of the martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War of Independence and the July Mass Uprising.
In his message, the prime minister described August 5 as a day of joy, a day of victory and a day of the restoration of democratic political rights for all those who cherish freedom and democracy.
He said for more than one and a half decades, in the struggle against fascism and for the restoration of the people's right to vote and their democratic rights, the BNP, other anti-fascist political parties, and the people of differing views had to endure limitless persecution and repression.
Tarique Rahman said countless people became victims of enforced disappearance, murder, abduction, assaults, false cases, torture and oppression. “In leading this movement, the uncompromising leader of the nation, former Prime Minister late Begum Khaleda Zia, was also forced to spend years in the prison of the oppressors on false charges.”
He remembered with profound respect all the martyrs. “By sacrificing their lives for the freedom, rights and dignity of the country and its people, they have left us in their debt. Bangladesh owes an enduring debt to every martyr's family. Now it is our turn to repay that debt.”
The prime minister urged all to make a pledge to honour that debt through sincere efforts to build a just, self-reliant, democratic and humane Bangladesh by ensuring the political and economic empowerment of people and by establishing equality, human dignity and social justice.
Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has taken extensive and multi-layered security measures to maintain law and order and ensure public safety in the capital ahead of July Mass Uprising Day.
The measures have been taken to prevent any act of sabotage, untoward incident or disruption to public safety during the observance of the day, according to a DMP statement issued on Tuesday.
As part of the security plan, the number of police patrols and checkpoints has been significantly increased across the capital, with stricter search operations at all entry points to Dhaka.
On June 26, 2025, the government declared August 5 as July Mass Uprising Day. The day is a public holiday.
