July's sacrifice must unite, not divide, the nation: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said the nation must unite to take the country forward.

“The fate of the country lies in the change in the fate of the people. Today that chance has come into our hands. We do not want to move forward by dividing the nation. A country can only progress when the whole nation is united,” he said at an event marking the second anniversary of the July Uprising.

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The prime minister stressed that the achievement of the movement did not belong to any single person or political party. “The achievement we made on August 5 belongs to every democracy‑loving and peace‑loving person of Bangladesh, regardless of party or opinion,” he said.

Pointing to a banner at the venue, he recalled: “The youngest flowers martyred in July. According to the United Nations, 65 children were martyred that day. Did they commit any crime? While freeing the country from autocracy, these children gave their lives.”

He added: “The home minister mentioned nearly 1,400 people were martyred that day. In my count, about 2,000 people were martyred in the July movement, and around 30,000 were harmed in different ways overall.”

Tarique also referred to oppression, torture, cases and attacks on BNP leaders and activists during the Awami League rule. “The person close to you whom you lost also had the goal of changing the fate of the people of this country. You yourself, who have been harmed, also had that goal,” he said.

The event, titled “July National Conference”, was organised at the Bangladesh‑China Friendship International Conference Centre in Dhaka’s Agargaon by “July ’24 Martyrs’ Family Society” and “Amra July Joddha”. A documentary on the July Uprising was shown.

‘Sacrifice will be valued’

Addressing the families of martyrs and the injured, the prime minister said, “The state will try its best to value your sacrifice. Those responsible will face justice under the law. Trials have already been completed, as the home minister mentioned.”

He urged caution: “Just as the autocrat did injustice to us and to crores of people, we must ensure no injustice is done in the name of justice. If a loved one could see that, while ensuring justice, we committed injustice, surely that person would not be at peace. By following the law, the wrongdoer should get proper justice, even if it takes time.”

‘Will you get back the person you lost?’

The prime minister said, “If the state fulfils everything you have demanded, will you get back the person you lost? The eyesight you lost, the injury or scar that remains, the pain that lingers -- will that be completely healed? It will not.”

He added, “I know many mothers are present here. One saw her child burned to death, another saw her child shot dead. A brother saw his brother shot dead. Against this pain, I want to say: I also understand and feel it. You were tortured physically, and that pain remains. From the time of the autocrat to August 5, thousands faced torture. Your pain, whether physical or mental, I am able to feel at least a little.”

He concluded: “To show full respect to the July Uprising, the martyrs, the fighters, and all those martyred in the last 17 years, the goal for which they sacrificed must be carried out. Let this be the oath and promise we take through today’s event.”