On the first anniversary of the mass uprising, a new monument titled the “36 July Memorial” was inaugurated today at Shahbagh in the capital. Dedicated to the memory of those martyred in the anti-authoritarian movement, the sculpture is now open to the public.
Crafted from engraved steel plates, the memorial bears the powerful slogans that echoed through the streets of Dhaka and across the country during the July 2024 uprising. Alongside these words are the etched names of those who were killed in the historic events of July 24, including Riaz Hossain, Shafat Rahman, Yasin Sarkar, Nadimul Hasan, Ellen Mohammad, and Shrab Bapi Ahmed, among others.
Crowds gathered at the base of the monument to lay floral tributes, with participation from government and non-government bodies, students, and citizens alike. Many visitors took photographs with the memorial, some sharing them online, while others were seen wiping tears in quiet remembrance.
Reflecting on the uprising, one visitor remarked, “On this day last year, we witnessed the fall of a tyrant. This monument reminds us that if authoritarianism ever rises again, we will stand up once more.”
Yet, amid celebration and remembrance, signs of discord have also begun to surface. “Some factions are deliberately trying to fracture our unity,” said one activist. “We urge everyone to stay united and work together to fulfill the dreams for which the martyrs gave their lives.”
Notably, the mass uprising began with an anti-discrimination student movement in July, 2024, and quickly ignited a nationwide revolution. By 36 July (August 5), it culminated in a national revolt that forced then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina to flee the country.