The families of those killed and injured during last year’s July Uprising have called for the official recognition of their contributions in the July Declaration and July Charter. The demand was made at the ‘July Mass Gathering’ organized by Ganosamhati Andolon, held at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital on Friday.
The gathering was inaugurated by Ayesha Begum, mother of Zulfikar Ahmed Shakil, who was martyred in police firing in Mirpur last yaer. Expressing their frustrations, the families emphasized the importance of including the names of the martyrs and victims in the national documents.
“We are deeply disheartened and profoundly aggrieved,” said Ayesha Begum. “They have tried to defile the sacred blood of our movement.”
Abdur Rahman, father of Shaheed Osman Patwari, also shared his discontent, recounting an event organized on July 26. “We, the families of the martyrs, invited four advisers, including the chief adviser, but none of them showed up,” he said. “We felt disrespected.”
Calling for state recognition for the martyrs, Abdur Rahman added, “A July Declaration that omits the names of the victims cannot be acceptable.”
Mohammad Liton, a student from Suhrawardy College who was injured during the July movement, voiced similar frustrations. “Instead of mocking the families of those injured and martyred during the July movement, they should be granted state recognition,” he said.
Aminul Islam, convener of the July Fighters’ Council, also expressed disappointment, saying, “We are deeply disheartened and profoundly aggrieved. They have tried to defile the sacred blood of our movement.”
The gathering underlined the need for the government to officially recognize the sacrifices made during the July Uprising, with the families urging that the July Declaration and Charter reflect these contributions.
The event marks continued calls for justice and respect for those who sacrificed during the July Uprising, and the families are hopeful that their demands will be heard in the ongoing dialogue about the country’s political future.