The President said these things in a speech given on the occasion of July Martyrs' Day on Wednesday (July 16).
In his speech, he said the mass uprising began with the arrest and torture of protesting public university students, and later through the active participation of private university students and people from all walks of life taking to the streets.
Expressing deep respect for the July martyrs, the President said July Martyrs' Day is a profoundly significant day in Bangladesh's history. The nation will forever remember with reverence the extraordinary contributions of all the brave martyrs who sacrificed themselves in the July 2024 mass uprising.
He said, we also remember with respect those courageous young men and women injured in the movement, many of whom, having become disabled, are still living a painful life. At the same time, I express deep condolences to the members of the martyrs' families, who, despite bearing the pain of losing their loved ones, continue to show immense patience and courage. He also recalled with gratitude the sacrifices and contributions of the July fighters and all patriotic citizens who took part in the mass uprising.
The President said this mass uprising is not the sole achievement of any individual, party, or group; it is the fruit of the collective aspiration, courage, and self-sacrifice of democracy-seeking people. The sacrifice of the July martyrs reminds us that the source of state power and the owner of all authority is the people. Ensuring the fundamental rights, dignity, justice, and interests of the people is the highest responsibility of the state.
He further said the spirit of July inspires the formation of a humane, autocracy-free, discrimination-free, corruption-free, and egalitarian state.
The President stated that the current government is committed to ensuring due respect and recognition for the martyred and injured July fighters, the welfare of their families, the rehabilitation of the injured, and fair trials for the related killings. The government is working sincerely towards this goal. At the same time, he called upon wealthy individuals, institutions, and humanitarian organizations in society to come forward in this effort.
In the concluding part of his speech, the President said everyone must work unitedly, regardless of party, opinion, or path, to build the Bangladesh of the martyrs' dreams—a discrimination-free, democratic, accountable, and justice-based state. He prayed for the forgiveness and eternal peace of the souls of all martyrs who sacrificed themselves in the July mass uprising and wished success for all programs undertaken on the occasion of July Martyrs' Day.
