July Women’s Day: Uprising belongs to all, say speakers
"We women want to roam freely in this independent country as we have gained freedom in exchange of hundreds of lives," said July fighters
Speakers at a programme yesterday (14 July) said July Uprising belongs to all and vowed to ensure equal rights for women and men based on the spirit of the mass upsurge.
"Those who do not accept July Uprising are none of us. July does not belong to anyone alone. It belongs to all of us. We do not sell July, nor will we allow anyone to sell it," they said.
They made the remarks while addressing a programme marking the 'July Women's Day' at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka.
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July fighter Farzana Wahid Sayan sang revolutionary songs at the event. Earlier, the programme began with the national anthem by the Dhaka University students and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
A documentary made by Women and Children Affairs Ministry was screened at 6.30pm.
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul, Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmin S Murshid, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter, Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, Industries and Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Niaz Ahmed Khan, Bangla Academy Director General Mohammad Azam, Nazrul Institute Executive Director Latiful Islam Shibli, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, among others, were present at the event.
Sayan sang different songs on July Uprising including, 'Ei Meye Shono', 'Ami Julyer Golpo Bolbo', and 'Amar Nam Palestine'.
At the event, mother of martyr Naima Sultana, July fighters, Dhaka University teachers Saima and Umama, Abrar Fayaz, Swarna Riya and many others reminisced about the days when women took to the field in the anti-autocratic movement.
The July fighters said, "We women want to roam freely in this independent country as we have gained freedom in exchange of hundreds of lives. We want freedom of speech in this country, we want equal rights for women and men, and we hope that the government will take measures to prevent any further atrocities, oppression and rape against women."
Otherwise, they said, the July fighters will once again take to the streets to protest and to achieve women's rights
The speakers also said that they do not want to return to the authoritarian era of fascist Sheikh Hasina.
Later, a documentary was screened on martyr Abarar Fahad.
Singers Mahjabin and Elita Karim sang different songs including 'Cholo Bhule Jai', Mukthir o Mondire', 'Mora Janjhar Mato Uddam', 'Ami Banglay Gan Gai', 'Dono Dhaneye Pushpe Bhora', 'Ghure Darao'.
