July Uprising Belongs to the People, Not Any Party: Tarique Rahman
The Chronify
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman says the July 2024 uprising was a true mass movement for democracy, not the property of any party. He pledges state support for families of those killed and injured if BNP comes to power.
Tarique Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, on Sunday said the July uprising of 2024 belonged to no individual, political party or group, describing it as a genuine mass movement of people deprived of their rights and committed to democracy.
He made the remarks while addressing an exchange meeting with families of those killed and injured during the July uprising at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in the capital.
“The movement was, in the truest sense, a mass uprising of pro-democracy people,” Tarique Rahman said. Drawing a historical parallel, he added: “1971 was about achieving independence, while the 2024 movement was about protecting that independence and sovereignty.”
He said the independence earned through the Liberation War was safeguarded through the July uprising and stressed that those who took part in it should be recognised as freedom fighters.
Outlining future plans, the BNP chairman said that if the party comes to power with public support, a separate department would be formed under the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs to take responsibility for the families of those killed and injured in the July uprising.
“The state cannot bring back those we have lost,” he said, “but it has a responsibility to stand beside the families of the martyrs and ensure proper treatment, rehabilitation and dignity for the injured.”
Referring to the scale of violence, Tarique Rahman claimed that more than 1,400 people were killed and around 30,000 injured during the July uprising, with hundreds suffering permanent disabilities, including loss of eyesight. He described the events as a form of genocide.
Stressing the significance of the upcoming national election, he said it was “extremely, extremely important” for establishing a safe, democratic and accountable Bangladesh.
“If democracy cannot be established, the nation will continue to witness mourning gatherings and tragic stories,” he warned, urging pro-democracy forces to remain alert so that the uprising is not reduced to a partisan agenda.
Tarique Rahman also emphasised that the anti-fascist movement of 2024 was a collective struggle involving people from all walks of life, regardless of political affiliation, religion or profession.
The programme ended with prayers for those who lost their lives in July and wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured.
He made the remarks while addressing an exchange meeting with families of those killed and injured during the July uprising at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in the capital.
“The movement was, in the truest sense, a mass uprising of pro-democracy people,” Tarique Rahman said. Drawing a historical parallel, he added: “1971 was about achieving independence, while the 2024 movement was about protecting that independence and sovereignty.”
He said the independence earned through the Liberation War was safeguarded through the July uprising and stressed that those who took part in it should be recognised as freedom fighters.
Outlining future plans, the BNP chairman said that if the party comes to power with public support, a separate department would be formed under the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs to take responsibility for the families of those killed and injured in the July uprising.
“The state cannot bring back those we have lost,” he said, “but it has a responsibility to stand beside the families of the martyrs and ensure proper treatment, rehabilitation and dignity for the injured.”
Referring to the scale of violence, Tarique Rahman claimed that more than 1,400 people were killed and around 30,000 injured during the July uprising, with hundreds suffering permanent disabilities, including loss of eyesight. He described the events as a form of genocide.
Stressing the significance of the upcoming national election, he said it was “extremely, extremely important” for establishing a safe, democratic and accountable Bangladesh.
“If democracy cannot be established, the nation will continue to witness mourning gatherings and tragic stories,” he warned, urging pro-democracy forces to remain alert so that the uprising is not reduced to a partisan agenda.
Tarique Rahman also emphasised that the anti-fascist movement of 2024 was a collective struggle involving people from all walks of life, regardless of political affiliation, religion or profession.
The programme ended with prayers for those who lost their lives in July and wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured.
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