BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has said the July fighters protected the country’s sovereignty. He said, “In 1971, freedom fighters gave their lives and made sacrifices for the country’s independence. In the same way, the fighters of 2024 July uprising fought to protect independence and sovereignty.”
“Independence was achieved in 1971, and it was defended in July 2024,” he added.
Tarique made the comments at a discussion with families of those killed and injured in the July mass uprising, organised by BNP at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in Dhaka on Sunday.
He also said, “If BNP is able to form government in the future, a separate department under the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs will be created to look after the July fighters.”
The BNP chairman added that during the period of fascism, thousands of people were subjected to enforced disappearances and abductions, leaving countless families devastated. In the July uprising, 1,400 people were martyred and 30,000 injured. Among them, 500 lost one or both eyes, while others were left crippled.
“The way people were killed can be described in one word as genocide,” he said adding “The July movement was not the struggle of any individual, party, or group. It was a mass movement of democracy‑seeking people deprived of their rights.”
He further said, compensation for those injured in the mass uprising could be ensured in two ways. First, through state initiatives guaranteeing them the highest level of medical treatment; and second, by securing their livelihoods according to their political and professional abilities.
He stressed that the country has a responsibility toward the victims, and if BNP comes to power by the people’s mandate, the party will fulfill this responsibility step by step.
The BNP chief also noted that the 13th parliamentary election is important for establishing a safe and democratic Bangladesh.
He warned if the country fails to build such a democracy, mourning rallies and laments will continue. “But instead of mourning, democracy‑seeking people will write the victory story of democracy in tomorrow’s Bangladesh,” he added.
