Bangladesh will commemorate July Uprising annually to prevent return of fascism: CA Yunus
"The main objective of our programme is to make people aware of democratic rights, to demand political accountability, and to not lose this opportunity for reform that was gained in exchange for blood," says the chief adviser
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has announced that Bangladesh will observe annual commemorations of the July mass uprising to ensure the country never again has to endure 16 years of authoritarian rule before staging another revolution.
"We will commemorate July each year so that we don't have to wait another 16 years to stage such an uprising again. We will do this every year so that if any signs of fascism appear, we can immediately address them - this is extremely important," he said today (1 July) while inaugurating a month-long programme marking the first anniversary of last year's student-led uprising.
Emphasising the critical importance of maintaining democratic vigilance through regular observances, Yunus said, "We must catch authoritarianism before it can unfold its first page. We must not have to wait 16 years again."
"The main objective of our programme is to make people aware of democratic rights, to demand political accountability, and to not lose this opportunity for reform that was gained in exchange for blood," he said.
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The chief adviser's remarks came as Bangladesh marks one year since the student-led protests against the quota system that eventually grew into a mass uprising, resulting in the ouster of the former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and the fall of the Awami League, a party that had ruled the country for 15 years.
The July 2024 movement, which began with student demonstrations, evolved into what the chief adviser described as an "unprecedented mass uprising" that gave the nation a taste of freedom.
During his address, Yunus paid tribute to the diverse groups who participated in the movement, including students, workers, farmers, teachers, and rickshaw pullers, who he said became symbols of courage, sacrifice, and determination.
Mentioning that the month-long programme aims to revive the unity that emerged across all social classes, professions, and age groups during last year's uprising, the chief adviser called on citizens to transform July into a "month of mass awakening and unity,".
"The path ahead, while challenging, holds great possibilities," he added.
Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki and Education Adviser CR Abrar also spoke on the occasion.
To mark the first anniversary of the July Mass Uprising, the interim government has taken a month-long programme.
The details of this special programme were announced on 24 June 2025 in a statement issued by the Chief Adviser's Press Wing.
The programme details are given below:
1 July
On this day, doa and prayers will be offered in mosques, temples, pagodas and churches, including other places of worship, in memory of the martyrs. July calendar will be announced.
A mass signature campaign will be launched demanding justice for the murderers of the July massacre, which will continue till 1 August.
National University scholarships will be launched in memory of the July martyrs.
5 July
A nationwide poster campaign will be launched on 5 July to inform people about how the ousted illegal Awami government carried out oppression and repression at different times.
7 July
A website called Julyforever.org will be launched on 7 July.
14 July: 'Mora Jhanjar Moto Uddam'
Videos of 14 July will be shared, and testimony of a martyr's family will be taken, which will continue until 36 July. This day has been mentioned as the July Women's Day.
On this day, a July martyr memorial will be established in every district. Shilpakala Academy will screen the July videos in 64 districts and every university in the country. Documentary screening, projection mapping and July songs will be arranged at TSC. A drone show will be exhibited.
15 July: 'Ami Chitkar Koria Kaditea Chahiya'
Videos of 15 July will be shared. July remembrance, documentary screening, and July songs will be arranged.
An LED wall installation will be held at Dhaka University. Projection mapping and documentary screening will be organised at various universities.
16 July 'Katha Ka'
Videos of 16 July will be shared. Shilpakala Academy will screen 'VR shows' in three divisional cities.
Shaheed Abu Sayeed memorial programme will be held at Rangpur Begum Rokeya University. July songs and drone show will be exhibited in Chattogram.
17 July 'Shikal-pora Chhol'
Videos of 17 July will be shared. A symbolic coffin procession will be held. 'July remembrance' programmes will be arranged at public universities in the country.
The experience narration programme on 17 July will be held by teachers of various private and public universities. A documentary exhibition of teachers will be exhibited in different universities in the country.
18 July 'Awaaz Uda'
Videos of 18 July will be shared. One-minute symbolic internet blackout, July songs, documentary screening, drone show, and 'July remembrance' programme will be arranged at different private universities of Dhaka. The traction show and marathon will be held.
19 July 'Koto Biplabi Bandhur Rokhtea Ranga'
Videos of 19 July will be shared. Rallies will be held in Narsingdi and Savar, remembering martyrs. The July documentary screening will be held at important places across the country, including Dhaka.
This day has been mentioned as the day of resistance to genocide.
20 July 'Deshta Tomar Baper Naki?'
Remembrance videos of 20 July will be shared. The July documentary screening will be organised at important places across the country, including Dhaka. A rally in memory of martyrs will be held in Basila, Mirpur 10.
21 July 'Rakhto Gorom Matha Danda'
Videos will be shared commemorating 21 July. Screening of the July documentary will be held at important places across the country, including Dhaka. Events commemorating July will be held in all madrasas initiated by the Madrasa Education Board.
A rally in memory of martyrs will be held in Jatrabari.
22 July 'Abhas'
Videos will be shared commemorating 22 July. 'Adomya-24' memorial monument will be inaugurated in Jahangirnagar. Poets will recite July poems in front of Raju sculpture.
23 July 'Karar Oi Lowha Kapat'
Videos will be shared commemorating 23 July. An event will be arranged to connect remittance warriors.
Global Solidarity: Online and offline events will be held with foreign social media influencers who played a positive role in the July movement. Exhibition of some selected July photos and documentaries will be arranged at the embassies.
A graffiti drawing programme and a July graffiti exhibition will be organised.
24 July 'Ki Korchea Tomar Baba'
On this day, various programmes will be taken, including video sharing of 24 July, nationwide programme in memory of child martyrs, 'Graffiti and painting in the colors of 24' competition in secondary and higher secondary schools nationwide, programme in memory of child martyr Riya Gope in Narayanganj, programme remembering child martyrs, July documentary exhibition and song, installation of an iconic sculpture with the theme of July child martyrs at Shishu Academy and publication of a graphic novel based on the July movement for children.
This day has been organised in memory of child martyrs.
25 July 'Cholo Bholea Jai'
Videos of 25 July will be shared. Revolution on stage: Small theatre stages will be prepared in different parts of the country to show plays.
26 July 'Palashiri Prantar'
Videos of 26 July will be shared. Gatherings and programmes of various student organisations will be held at Suhrawardy Udyan. A documentary on the role of madrasas will be exhibited. The July rap song programme will be arranged. A book fair featuring books on July will be held at Bangla Academy.
