National Citizen Party Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam said the current parliament was formed through the sacrifices of the martyrs of the July mass uprising of 2024 and demanded justice for the killings, enforced disappearances and corruption.
Speaking in the first session of the 13th parliament on Thursday afternoon, he also urged the ruling party to take the oath of the Constitutional Reform Commission and called for keeping parliament “free from fascists and their collaborators”.
“On 5 August 2024 — the 36th of July — I and my fellow fighters marched from Shahbagh with students and the public to the premises of this parliament and freed it from fascism,” he said.
“Our role that day was revolutionary, and today in a different context I have been democratically elected and can speak in this great parliament,” he added.
Expressing gratitude to the uprising martyrs, Nahid congratulated the Speaker and members of parliament.
“This parliament is the result of the blood of thousands of martyrs and the sacrifices of countless wounded and disabled patriots of the great mass uprising,” he said.
Paying tribute to those killed and injured in the July movement, he said he remembered with respect those who “opened their chests before bullets and gave their lives while making us free again”.
He said students, workers, farmers, teachers, cultural activists, religious scholars, youth, members of the armed forces and expatriates took part in the 2024 uprising, while women played a leading role and faced repression.
Students from private universities, madrasas, schools and colleges also made significant contributions to the movement, he said.
Nahid also mentioned the role of organisations including Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Islami Chhatra Shibir, Chhatra Shakti and Chhatra Adhikar Parishad.
“Twenty-four is not just twenty-four. Behind it lies a vast context — the struggle for freedom in 1947, the Liberation War of 1971 and the mass uprising of students and the public in 2024,” he said.
He also remembered victims of several past incidents.
“I remember the martyrs of the Pilkhana killings, the Shapla killings and the anti-Modi killings, as well as those who were disappeared during the fascist era,” he said.
He also recalled the courage of students involved in the 2018 quota reform movement and the safe road movement.
“I remember martyr Abrar Fahad and martyr Felani Khatun, who fought against Indian hegemony and brought Bangladesh to where it stands today,” he said.
Referring to those killed in the July uprising, he mentioned several names.
“Our fellow fighters — martyr Abu Sayed, martyr Mugdha, martyr Wasim and four-year-old Ahad — along with about 150 children — deeply move me,” he said.
He also mentioned a letter written by tenth-grade student martyr Anas to his mother and recalled his sacrifice during the movement.
Nahid said the struggle and sacrifice of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia were also linked to the July uprising and inspired the country’s youth.
Referring to the recent referendum, he said members of parliament also have responsibilities as members of the Constitutional Reform Commission.
“According to the referendum verdict, we are not only members of parliament but also members of the Constitutional Reform Commission,” he said.
“We believe our friends in the ruling party will immediately take the oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Commission,” he added.
He also demanded justice for several incidents.
“We want justice for the July killings, justice for the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, justice for enforced disappearances and murders, and justice for past looting and corruption,” he said.
Towards the end of his speech, Nahid said the July uprising symbolised a new national direction.
“July means a new arrangement — a democratic, inclusive and discrimination-free country. July means a country free from hegemony and fascism,” he said.
Addressing the Speaker, he said parliament must remain free from those associated with fascism.
“We want to ensure that no fascist or collaborator of fascism can come to this great parliament and pollute it with their speeches,” he said.
