On Monday, Finance and Planning State Minister and Chief Coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon, Zonayed Saki, exchanged greetings and held Iftar with the families of July martyrs and the injured at the second floor of the Bissho Shahitto Kendro in Dhaka.
At the greeting exchange meeting, presided over by Bibi Ayesha, mother of martyr Zulfikar Ahmed Shakil, and moderated by Golam Mostafa, Convener of the Bangladesh Youth Federation, speeches were given on behalf of the July martyr families by Shamsi Ara Zaman, mother of martyr Tahir Zaman Priyo and General Secretary of the July Martyr Memorial Foundation; Farjana Nila, wife of martyr Omar Faruk; Md Golam Rahman, father of martyr Golam Nafis; injured July fighters Mohammad Biplob Mia and Md Jamal Hossain; and Abul Hasan Rubel, Executive Coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon.
At the meeting, Zonayed Saki said, “We are indebted to the blood of the July martyrs. Proper state dignity must be given to the July martyrs, and responsibility for the lives of their families must be taken. At the same time, responsibility for the lives of the injured, including their medical treatment, must also be taken.”
He further stated, “July is still present. July cannot be allowed to become a thing of the past. We must advance towards the future by holding onto the dream of building a discrimination-free Bangladesh envisioned in July.” Addressing the members of the July martyr families, he said, “With your support and love, we have received the opportunity to build this Bangladesh. I always want you by my side so that I can utilise that opportunity in the greater interest of the people.”
Shamsi Ara Zaman, mother of martyr Tahir Zaman Priyo and General Secretary of the July Martyr Memorial Foundation, said, “No one will understand the pain of those who were injured. The members of the martyr families are in terrible pain. Even if they laugh sometimes, that laughter is not real laughter. None of us from the martyr families will find peace until those involved in the July killings are brought to justice.”
Abul Hasan Rubel, executive coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon, said, “Until the rights and dignity of all people are established, we must continue our struggle to transform this state. The families who lost their loved ones in the July mass uprising have suffered a great loss. If we can build the state to be suitable for all people, free from discrimination, and in accordance with the aspirations of the martyrs, then perhaps that loss will be somewhat compensated.”
Also present at the greeting exchange meeting were Umama Fatema, organiser of Empowering Our Fighters; Koli Kayez; Idul Foysal; Maria Sultana, wife of martyr Nazmul; central members of Ganosamhati Andolon Bachchu Bhuiya, Reksona Parvin Sumi, Saifullah Siddiq Ruman, Lutfunnaher Sumona, Biplob Khan, Benu Akhtar, Jahidul Alam Al Jahid; member of the Central Advisory Committee Imrad Zulkarnain Emon; and other leaders of Ganosamhati Andolon.
