Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Wednesday urged political parties and groups to avoid disputes over the ownership of the July uprising, saying attempts to claim credit for the movement could undermine its collective spirit.
“If we keep asking who July belongs to, then July will belong to none of us,” he said, calling for unity to uphold the aspirations of the mass uprising.
He made the remarks at a reception and discussion programme for the families of July martyrs and July fighters at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka.
Salahuddin said the July uprising was not the achievement of any single person or political party. Rather, it was the outcome of years of resistance, sacrifices, repression, enforced disappearances and killings.
He said the movement should not be turned into a subject of political division, stressing that the country’s people collectively contributed to the historic change.
“Many nations have struggled for centuries to achieve freedom, while in some cases a historic transformation takes place within days or weeks. The July uprising was such a moment,” he said.
‘July movement was built over years’
The minister said the uprising was the result of a long political struggle from 2009 to 2024, during which opposition activists and anti-authoritarian campaigners faced killings, enforced disappearances, attacks and legal cases.
He said the history of the movement could not be understood by focusing only on the 36 days of protests in July.
Referring to victims of enforced disappearances, including BNP leader Elias Ali, Salahuddin said many families had lost their loved ones during the period.
He said movements often become violent when people are denied peaceful and democratic ways to express their demands.
Reforms and July Charter
Salahuddin said the government was committed to implementing every aspect of the July National Charter and urged political parties to work together to fulfil the public mandate.
He said constitutional amendments would be necessary to implement meaningful reforms, as each amendment would represent a step towards institutional change.
“Reforms can only be implemented through amendments in Parliament,” he said.
The minister warned that historic uprisings such as those of 1971 and July do not happen frequently, and failing to meet public expectations would leave future generations questioning the current leadership.
Victims of enforced disappearances to get justice
Speaking about enforced disappearances, Salahuddin said the government was working on a legal framework to prevent such incidents and ensure justice for victims.
He said the proposed law would include provisions for strict punishment for enforced disappearances and crimes against humanity.
The minister also called for separate classifications for July injured persons based on the severity of their injuries.
He said those who can continue working and those who have lost the ability to earn a livelihood should receive different forms of support.
He also urged authorities to include victims who have not yet been added to official lists.
‘Court to decide Awami League’s fate’
On the issue of the Awami League, Salahuddin said political parties and organisations could face legal proceedings if found responsible for crimes against humanity or genocide.
However, he said he was not in favour of banning a political party through executive orders, adding that the court would determine the party’s future.
Urges unity against authoritarianism
Salahuddin called for national unity to prevent the return of authoritarian politics, saying disagreements between the government and opposition were part of democratic practice.
He said the July Museum was being established as a “living history” to help future generations learn from past events and ensure that authoritarianism does not return.
“July is not the property of any individual, party or group. It is the collective achievement of the people of Bangladesh,” he said.
