BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman was at the forefront of the July uprising, said Professor Morshed Hasan Khan, BNP’s secretary for mass education and the member secretary of the BNP-formed Committee for July–August Mass Uprising, Mourning, and Victory Anniversary Observance.
He said, “When the nation was engulfed in despair and confusion, Tarique Rahman, even from afar in exile, showed us a light of hope. In his voice, we heard the call for freedom and unity. Through the July uprising, he proved that leadership is not about distance, but about winning the hearts of the people.”
He made these remarks while delivering the welcome speech at an event held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre on Tuesday (1 July) afternoon.
To mark the first anniversary of the 2024 July–August mass uprising, the BNP has launched a 36-day programme. On Tuesday, a discussion meeting titled “Mass Uprising 2024: National Unity and Democratic Journey” was held with participation from all political parties, along with a special event in honour of the families of martyrs.
BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia attended the event as the chief guest. Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman inaugurated the programme through a virtual address.
The convener of the committee and BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi presided over the event.
Family members of the martyrs, injured leaders and activists, and top leaders of 63 political parties involved in the anti-fascist movement, along with intellectuals, senior journalists and people from different walks of life were present.
The martyr families were awarded crests and honoured. A minute of silence was observed in memory of the martyrs and victims of the July uprising, and a documentary on the movement was screened.
At the beginning of his speech, Professor Dr Morshed Hasan Khan paid tribute to BNP’s founder, martyred President Ziaur Rahman, as well as the martyrs and wounded fighters of the July uprising. He said, “Before and after the uprising, every decision and speech of Tarique Rahman gave us strength. Especially after 5 August, he quickly took various initiatives to unite the nation. Tarique Rahman is not just a leader of the BNP—he is the people’s trust and the inspiration for the younger generation. Under his leadership, we envision a new Bangladesh—free from misrule and injustice, founded on justice, freedom and democracy.”
Dr Morshed also remembered all the dedicated BNP activists and ordinary people who took part in the anti-autocratic movement. He said, “Many sacrificed their lives while standing up to Sheikh Hasina’s injustices on the streets. Over the past 16 years, countless leaders and activists have been victims of enforced disappearance and murder during the struggle to restore democracy. Even Begum Khaleda Zia was unjustly imprisoned by the Awami fascist regime. But she never compromised. After the July uprising, she was released unconditionally. Her release inspired us anew. Under her direct guidance, we remain unwavering and determined in the struggle to re-establish democracy.”
He further said, “The July uprising reminds us that democracy is never granted by favour—it must be earned through movement, sacrifice, and unity. For the past 16 years, we have been engaged in that struggle. We still are, and we will remain so—victory will be ours. We demand a complete list of all those who disappeared or were martyred during Hasina’s fascist rule, swift trials, and official recognition. We also demand dignified rehabilitation and a secure future for every affected family. On this day, we pledge that the blood of the martyrs shall not be in vain, nor the sacrifices of the wounded forgotten. National unity and a free, fair election remain our ultimate goal.”
Bd-pratidin English/FNC
