Published : 05 Aug 2026, 07:54 PM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:30 AM
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman says that the July Uprising Memorial Museum will not be used as a place to push a single political agenda on behalf of any party, group or individual.
The premier made the statement at the inauguration ceremony of the museum in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on Thursday morning.
He said, "The democracy-loving people of the country hope that this museum will not be a place for propagating the singular political narrative of any party, group or individual. Because, the 2024 mass uprising does not belong to any single person, group or party... The great heroes of this uprising are the democracy-loving people of the country.”
‘‘I often say one thing - the 1971 Liberation War was about achieving independence and the 2024 Mass Uprising was about protecting the independence of the country and its people. Just as the people did not forget the freedom fighters, similarly, the people will not forget the martyrs who protected the independence of the country and the people in 2024. “
Before attending a discussion, the prime minister unveiled the plaque of the museum. He was accompanied by Muhammad Yunus, the chief advisor of the former interim government.
The programme began with the national anthem. The prime minister and guests stood to pay their respects. Afterwards, there were recitations from the Holy Quran, Gita, Tripitaka and the Bible.
The Government’s Actions for Injured July Fighters
In his speech, Tarique said: “The fighters injured in the July Mass Uprising are being provided free medical services in government hospitals. In addition, seriously injured July fighters are being treated in Thailand, Singapore, Turkey, Russia and other countries for advanced treatment as per the rules.”
‘‘Currently, 50 July fighters are undergoing treatment abroad. Among the gazetted July fighters, more than 13,000 July fighters are being given class-based monthly honoraria in their own bank accounts. The current government is sincere in providing state-level assistance to the victims of the anti-fascist movement.”
‘The Work of Implementing the July Charter Has Begun’
The prime minister said, “Along with financial assistance, the current government has also started the work of establishing the Bangladesh desired by the martyrs. As part of this, the implementation of the 31-point election manifesto, along with the July Charter signed at the South Plaza of the parliament has also started in stages.”
‘‘At the same time, the ‘Special Committee on Constitutional Amendments’ formed in parliament has also started its work to implement the aspirations of the referendum. By establishing a self-reliant, prosperous, safe, democratic Bangladesh through the reconstruction of the country, we will build the Bangladesh the martyrs desire, In Sha Allah.”
‘Conspiracy to Create Instability in the Country’
Tarique said, ‘‘I want to draw the attention of the people to one issue today at this event... Some people in the fascist-free Bangladesh have started trying to create instability by blowing up unnecessary issues.”
‘‘By creating such problems, we need to consider whether they are unknowingly paving the way for the revival of the defeated and exiled dictatorship.”
‘Aug 5 is a Landmark in the History of Democracy’
The prime minister said that Aug 5 is another landmark in the history of democracy in Bangladesh.
He said, “For more than a decade and a half, thousands of people in the anti-fascist movement were subjected to enforced disappearances and abductions. Hundreds of thousands of of people were forced to flee their homes for years due to torture, attacks, or false cases. A thousand students, women, and children were martyred in the mass uprising of July and August alone.”
“At least 30,000 people were injured.”
He said, "I pay my deepest respect to all the martyrs of the anti-fascist movement. I express my deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims."
"To block the July-August mass uprising, the fascist faction killed democracy-loving people by shooting them from helicopters. Such atrocities by the defeated and expelled fascists are rare in the civilised world."
"Under the fascist regime, enforced disappearances, murders and kidnappings were made normal. These atrocities, which lasted for more than a decade and a half can only be compared with the three and a half years of misrule in the post-independence by the Awami League government. In such a reality, today's historic 'July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum' will present the courageous history of their predecessors to future generations. It will also expose the visages of the expelled fascists before them.”
‘We Will Have Justice’
Tarique said, “Those injured or killed in the anti-fascist movement will definitely receive justice for each case in the end. The trials will be transparent, impartial and credible, following the due process of the law.”
‘‘The government believes that it is important to try every crime to ensure the rule of law.”
The event was chaired by Culture Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury and was attended by Yunus, State Minister for Culture Ali Newaz Mahmud Khayam, and the Prime Minister's Information Advisor Zahed Ur Rahman.
Fatematuzzohra, the mother of July Uprising martyr Abdullah bin Zahid; Sanjida Khan Dipti, the mother of Shahriar Khan Anis; and Nishat Tabassum Prabati, a July fighter, delivered speeches.
Acting Speaker of Parliament Kaysar Kamal, cabinet ministers, members of parliament, heads of the armed forces, ambassadors and envoys, and other eminent citizens attended the event.
The prime minister's daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman was also present.
