Acting president calls for building democratic, discrimination-free Bangladesh in spirit of July Mass Uprising

Acting president Hafiz Uddin Ahmad today (4 August) called for building a discrimination-free, democratic, accountable and justice-based Bangladesh in line with the sacrifices and aspirations of the martyrs and the injured of the July Mass Uprising.

In a message issued on the occasion of the July Mass Uprising Day-2026, he said, "Let us all, inspired by the spirit of the great July Mass Uprising, remain united in building a democratic, justice-based, humane, discrimination-free and happy-prosperous new Bangladesh. At the same time, let us work together to realise the dreams, ideals and aspirations of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the great Liberation War and the Mass Uprising."

On 5 August,  2024, the prolonged discriminatory and fascist rule came to an end in the face of the united resistance of unarmed students and people, while the fascist government was forced to flee the country amid overwhelming public outrage, the message said.

He extended his heartfelt greetings and congratulations to the valiant July warriors and all patriotic citizens on the second anniversary of the uprising.

The acting president remembered thousands of heroic martyrs who laid down their lives in the movement, including Abu Sayed, Mugdha, Wasim, Yamin, Farhan, Nafiz, Taim, Naima, child Riya Gop and Ahad with profound respect and gratitude.

He also expressed his deep respect and profound sympathy for the July fighters who were permanently disabled during the movement.

"The nation would remember forever their rare sacrifice, immense courage and extraordinary contributions, which would remain an eternal source of inspiration," he said.

The acting president described the July Mass Uprising as the irresistible manifestation of the accumulated public anger against the misrule. 

The misrule, discrimination, rampant corruption, exploitation, enforced disappearances, killings, politicisation, and the suppression of democracy, voting rights, and freedom of expression that prevailed over the past one and a half decades culminated in the irresistible July Mass Uprising, he said.

The message said that the intense public resentment and dissatisfaction accumulated over a prolonged period due to state irregularities, repression, and corruption turned into a nationwide mass uprising following the brutal killings of unarmed students and people during the quota reform movement.

Describing all participants in the movement as July warriors, he said, "People from all walks of life including students and teachers, youths, political activists, workers, professionals, brothers, sisters, daughters, wives, and mothers spontaneously took to the streets with immense courage and determination to sacrifice.

He noted that all of them are July warriors.

He said the people are the source of all state power, and the Mass Uprising has proved this again. "To uphold the dignity of the martyrs' sacrifices, a humane Bangladesh for the common people must be built where fascism, autocracy, and extremism will never again find a place," he said. 

He also called for ending all kinds of irregularities and discrimination while upholding voting rights, equality, human dignity, justice, and fundamental rights.

The acting president also called for ensuring good governance, public interest, accountability, and necessary reforms in every sphere of state administration.

He assured that due honour would be ensured to the martyred and injured July warriors, while the welfare of their families, treatment, and rehabilitation of the injured.

He stressed that impartial, fair, and speedy trials of all killings and crimes against humanity committed during the July Mass Uprising would be ensured.

At the end of the message, he expressed the hope that Bangladesh would move forward with greater determination on the path of peace, equality, progress, and prosperity and prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls of all the martyrs of the July Mass Uprising.