'No one remembers the families of martyrs', say victims' relatives at July uprising memorial event

Families of those killed and injured during the July uprising last year have expressed deep sorrow and frustration, lamenting that they feel forgotten and neglected.

At a memorial discussion titled "July 2024: National Unity and the Democratic Journey", held today (1 July) at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in the capital, relatives of the uprising victims urged for swift justice and pledged to never allow fascism to return to the country.

The event was organised by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to honour the families of those martyred and injured in the uprising.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia joined the programme virtually as chief guest, while acting chairman Tarique Rahman inaugurated the event from London.

Speaking at the gathering, Sanjida Islam Tuli, sister of disappeared BNP leader Sajidul Islam Sumon and convener of civil society organisation "Mayer Daak", voiced a stern call for justice, saying, "Those who were abducted and never came back, those who were martyred — we demand justice for all of them. As long as a drop of blood remains in our bodies, we will fight for it. We refuse to die without seeing justice served."

Fatema Tuz Zohra, mother of 17-year-old martyr Abdullah Bin Zahid, shared her heartbreaking story, "No one has checked on us—not this interim government, not any adviser. My elder son was killed, my younger son diagnosed with cancer just two weeks later, and my husband died from a stroke in May. BNP helped us with medical expenses, but we got nothing from the government. We called Sarjis and Hasnat more than 100 times, but they never picked up."

She added that her younger son has another surgery scheduled this Friday (4 July). "I have nothing left but him. Please pray for my son. I lost one, I can't lose another."

Martyr Yamin's father Mohiuddin demanded justice for all killings, saying, "If this government can't deliver justice, then the BNP must ensure it. This must not go unpunished."

Mir Mostafizur Rahman, father of martyr Mir Mugdho, said, "These killings must end. No more innocent lives should be lost for no reason."

Ramzan Ali, brother of martyr Abu Sayed, recalled, "My brother gave people from all walks of life the courage to resist. It's because of him that the autocratic rule of Sheikh Hasina was brought down."

Injured protester Nabil said doctors had instructed him to return to the hospital after Eid.

"Now they won't let us in. We've been pushed out. We need BNP leaders to visit us and see our condition again," Nabil said.

The mother of martyr Kazi Fahmim Zafar said, "My son wrote on Facebook against Sheikh Hasina. He stood up to the tyranny. I'm proud of him. But injustice and inequality still remain—we must fight that too."

Shafiul Alam, father of martyr Wasim, said, "I lost one son, but thousands more like him have now risen up across the country."

The event began with Quran recitation and a moment of silence in honor of the martyrs, followed by the national anthem and a documentary screening on the uprising.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir spoke as a special guest, and the session was chaired by Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

Other senior leaders present included Mirza Abbas, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, and AZM Zahid Hossain.