[🇧🇩] July uprising

Date of Event: Jun 18, 2025

Source: https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/govt-issues-ordinance-to-preserve-history-of-july-uprising

Govt issues ordinance to preserve history of July uprising

Published :
Jun 18, 2025 00:05
Updated :
Jun 18, 2025 00:05

The government has issued an ordinance aimed at preserving the history and ideals of the July 2024 mass uprising and ensuring the welfare and rehabilitation of the families of those killed and injured during the movement.

The ordinance, signed by Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Secretary Hafiz Ahmed Chowdhury, was issued on Tuesday under the authority granted by Article 93(1) of the Constitution, as the Parliament currently stands dissolved, UNB reports.

The ordinance notes that Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971 was triggered by the systematic oppression and racial policies of the then-Pakistani regime.

Despite the country’s independence and decades of public struggle, the goals of justice, democracy, and equality remain unfulfilled, it says.

It states that since January 2009, under the “fascist Awami League government,” widespread corruption, nepotism, political repression, forced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the erosion of democratic rights and institutions have created deep concern among the people.

In this context, the July 2024 student-led anti-discrimination movement transformed into a full-scale public uprising. On August 5, 2024, the then ruling regime was overthrown and forced to flee the country following massive nationwide protests.

The ordinance highlights the sacrifices made during the uprising, including the deaths of thousands of unarmed student protesters and civilians, with many more injured.

It declares that their contribution must be honored and remembered as a proud chapter in the nation’s democratic struggle.

The interim government has pledged to recognise and support the wounded and families of those martyred in the uprising, ensuring their welfare and rehabilitation.

The ordinance was enacted as an urgent measure due to the absence of Parliament and the need for immediate action.​

 

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[Saif]

Hasina has been sentenced to death for her crimes against humanity. She will rot in hell for killing so many students during July uprising.

 

[Saif]

Mass uprising wasn’t to impose religious dominance or any particular ideology: Zonayed Saki

The mass uprising of 5 August (2024) did not take place to impose any form of religious dominance or any particular ideology, Ganosamhati Andolan chief coordinator Zonayed Saki stated on Friday. He made the remarks during a pre-procession rally in Chattogram city this afternoon. Zonayed Saki...

en.prothomalo.com

Mass uprising wasn’t to impose religious dominance or any particular ideology: Zonayed Saki
Staff CorrespondentChattogram
Published: 05 Dec 2025, 21: 39

Ganosamhati Andolan chief coordinator Zonayed Saki addresses a pre-procession rally in Chattogram city on 5 December 2025 Prothom Alo

The mass uprising of 5 August (2024) did not take place to impose any form of religious dominance or any particular ideology, Ganosamhati Andolan chief coordinator Zonayed Saki stated on Friday.

He made the remarks during a pre-procession rally in Chattogram city this afternoon.

Zonayed Saki said that the July–August uprising occurred to establish democracy. Thousands of youths sacrificed their blood for a new political settlement.

As part of Ganosamhati Andolan’s nationwide series of “mathal marches”, today’s programme was organised jointly by the organisation’s Chattogram north, south and city units.

Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, Zonayed Saki spoke on the constitution, reforms, elections, fascist politics and several other issues. He also introduced to party activists the Ganosamhati Andolan leaders who are contesting as candidates in the upcoming national election.

The Ganosamhati Andolan chief coordinator said that Sheikh Hasina had tried to suppress the movement through various machinations, conspiracies, attacks, lawsuits, repression and killings. Students took to the streets in July–August. Students were shot dead in broad daylight. That was why the people of Bangladesh united.

Pointing out that the students played the leading role in this struggle, uniting people across the country, he further said that the political parties, various professional groups and citizens from all walks of life took to the streets during this period. The uprising took place to establish democracy and build a state free from fascism.

Speaking on the matter of ports, Zonayed Saki said that the interim government survives on the support of political parties and stakeholders. Before taking decisions on any major national issue, it should have consulted political parties and stakeholders from different sectors. Instead, the government signed agreements on ports without any such consultation.

Regarding the upcoming parliamentary election, the Ganosamhati Andolan leader said, “We want to stand tall with dignity on the world stage. With that goal in mind, we have charted the course of our politics. Let us work together to ensure that Bangladesh’s new democratic journey, through the upcoming election, becomes successful. We need political rights. Without political rights, our freedom of speech, our freedom to raise demands, and each individual’s right to survival will not be secured.”

Zonayed Saki further said, “From the very beginning, Ganosamhati Andolan has continued its struggle to establish the rights and dignity of workers, peasants, labouring and marginalised people, including the majority in this country. The state established through the Liberation War, built upon the blood of hundreds of thousands of martyrs, had pledged to ensure equality, human dignity and social justice for all citizens. But regrettably, in the past 54 years, we have not seen that equality, dignity or social justice realised.”

Drawing on the constitution, Zonayed Saki said, “The foundation of authoritarianism, fascism and autocracy in Bangladesh lies in the constitutional power structure. The Constitution of 1972 gave the prime minister far greater power than any head of government in the world. With that power, successive governments placed all institutions in their pockets and oppressed the people. That is why we have said clearly: merely changing the ruler or the government will not be enough. The system of governance and the constitutional power structure must be changed, otherwise the democratic rights of the people will not be established.”

Zonayed Saki elaborated on various stages of state reform. “We have presented specific proposals for fundamental reforms to the governance system. Among these are the abolition of Article 70 of the Constitution. This article has turned elected representatives into mere hand-raising MPs.”

He continued, “We have demanded that no individual should be allowed to serve more than two terms as prime minister. We have also called for the formation of a constitutional commission to oversee appointments to all constitutional bodies, including the election commission, Anti-Corruption Commission and Public Service Commission. We have long demanded that the judiciary be made fully independent so that it cannot be influenced, that parliament become bicameral to ensure balance of power through proportional representation, and that power be balanced between the president and the prime minister.”

Zonayed Saki said that securing political rights alone does not ensure that people will have food to eat. “If the country’s economy is an economy of plunder, there will be exploitation of resources, extreme inequality, and money laundering; but there will be no liberation for the people. That is why we believe that alongside political rights, the fair share of labouring people and the rights of every citizen must be established.”

Among the speakers at the pre-procession rally were Ganosamhati Andolan–endorsed candidates, including: Mizanur Rahim Chowdhury (Chattogram-2), Zahidul Alam (Chattogram-4), Koli Akter (Chattogram-5), Nasir Uddin Talukder (Chattogram-6), Hasan Maruf Rumi (Chattogram-9), Apurba Nath (Chattogram-10) and Syed Salauddin Shahid Shimul (Chattogram-11).

After the rally, the procession began at Kazir Dewri in the city and concluded with a brief rally at Andarkilla intersection.​

 

[Saif]

July revolution did not seek to overturn constitution: Chief Justice

Outgoing CJ Refaat says movement aimed to purify constitutional engagement

www.thedailystar.net

July revolution did not seek to overturn constitution: Chief Justice
Outgoing CJ Refaat says movement aimed to purify constitutional engagement

File photo: Collected

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed today said the July revolution did not propose to overturn the constitution; rather, it sought to purify the nation's engagement with it.

"Transparency, accountability, and responsiveness -- these three virtues became the leitmotif of the public conscience," he said.

He added that during those uncertain months, the judiciary remained the only fully functional constitutional organ. As a result, it had to act with both humility and firmness.

"Yet the judiciary… was compelled to adopt a posture at once humble and resolute -- humble in acknowledging that it cannot exceed the boundaries of the text that gives it life, and resolute in ensuring that within those boundaries no right is rendered illusory, no institution made captive, and no citizen abandoned," he said.

Syed Refaat Ahmed, who will retire on December 27, made the remarks while delivering a speech in response to a farewell felicitation accorded to him by Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman and Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon.

The event was held this morning at the Chief Justice's Courtroom of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.

Judges and lawyers from both the Appellate Division and the High Court Division were present at the function.

In his speech, the chief justice said, "Together, through mutual respect, shared responsibility, and an unshakeable commitment to constitutionalism, we reaffirm that the strength of our judiciary lies not in any single office, but in our collective resolve to serve justice with integrity, balance, and foresight."

Addressing the chief justice, AG Asaduzzaman praised his leadership during a challenging period.

"During your short tenure as chief justice, through your wisdom, intellect, and foresight, you have established a unique judicial standard," he said.

SCBA President Mahbub said Refaat Ahmed made his utmost efforts to protect the constitutional and fundamental rights of citizens.

He added that the chief justice continued to uphold justice by removing delays in the disposal of cases.

Chief justice calls on president

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed paid a courtesy call on President Mohammed Sahabuddin at Bangabhaban at 2:00pm today.

During the meeting, the president exchanged pleasantries with the chief justice and highly appreciated the various initiatives taken by him to ensure the institutional independence of the judiciary.

The president also praised the successful implementation of those initiatives.

He particularly commended the chief justice's tireless efforts to establish a separate Supreme Court Secretariat for the judiciary.

The chief justice, in turn, expressed his sincere gratitude to the president for his special cooperation in implementing measures aimed at ensuring the judiciary's institutional independence, according to a Supreme Court press release.

Law adviser meets chief justice

Later in the day, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul paid a farewell call on Refaat Ahmed at his Supreme Court office.

During the meeting, the law adviser expressed concern to the chief justice over "terrorists being granted bail by the High Court".

After the meeting, Asif Nazrul spoke to journalists and said it was the chief justice's last working day.

"Today was the last working day of Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed. I came to express my thanks and gratitude to him," he said.

He said the chief justice took office at a critical moment for the country. He added that the chief justice played a key role in advancing judicial reforms in line with the expectations of the July mass uprising.

"Who will be the next chief justice is a matter of government policy. I do not have the authority to say anything unilaterally on this policy matter," he said.

"However, I can tell you that you will likely know it within the next three to four days," he added.​