Democratic journey has restarted through the sacrifice of July martyrs including Abu Sayeed: Health Minister

The Minister said these things in the speech of the chief guest at the discussion meeting organized on the occasion of 'July Martyrs Day 2026' in the conference room of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at the Secretariat today. At this time, one minute of silence was observed in memory of martyr Abu Sayeed and other martyrs, and prayers and supplications were offered for the peace of their souls.

Referring to the beginning of the July movement, the Health Minister said, a volcanic eruption does not happen in a day. Many things accumulate and cause a fire. Similarly, the background of the July movement was created through 15 years of struggle and movement under the leadership of our leader, current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, from 2009. During this time, countless leaders and activists were tortured. A political party, in power for the last 15 years, has committed irregularities, injustices and wrongdoings. Their behavior was violent. 

They tortured the wife of the proclaimer of independence and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Deprived her of medical treatment, 
harassed her in jail. The common people, fed up with the misrule of the autocratic government, joined the movement. They sent their children to participate in the revolution. Young Abu Sayeed raised both hands and said - shoot.

The Health Minister recalled the great Liberation War of 1971. He assured all kinds of cooperation from the Ministry of Health to the families of the July martyrs and the injured July fighters. 

Health Secretary Md. Kamruzzaman Chowdhury presided over the discussion meeting. Director General of Health Services Professor Dr. Prabhat Chandra Biswas, Additional Secretary of the Health Education and Family Welfare Division Ahsanul Aziz, Additional Secretary of the Health Services Division Khorshed Alam, Joint Secretary Dr. Mustafizur Rahman, Managing Director of Community Clinic Trust Fazlullah, among others, spoke. 

In his presidential speech, Health Secretary Md. Kamruzzaman Chowdhury said, the background of July was not created in a day, the misrule that started from 2009 accumulated and gradually turned into an explosion. On July 16, the movement against misrule gained momentum through the blood of Abu Sayeed and Wasif of Chittagong. He said, the martyrs will be properly honored only if we work to provide quality health services at the doorsteps of the people and build a healthy Bangladesh.