He said these things as the chief guest at the unveiling and publication festival of the book titled 'July Revolution 2024 in the Background of the Freedom Struggle' organized by One Initiative Research and Development (OIRD) at the CIRDAP International Conference Center in the capital on Tuesday (August 4) morning.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said, various temptations and pressures are being created to move away from the spirit of the July movement. However, there is no alternative but to respect the people's verdict. Jamaat-e-Islami will not betray the people.
He said, whoever contributed what in the July movement of 2024, it must be properly recorded in history. At the same time, he expressed regret that a complete list of martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War has still not been prepared. According to him, preserving history and ensuring the due dignity of martyr families is the responsibility of the state.
Calling upon the government, the opposition leader said, effective steps must be taken quickly to preserve the real history of the July movement. He alleged that after the movement, the speeches and positions of many political leaders had changed, and he also raised questions about the government's position on implementing the verdict of the referendum.
Regarding the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum, he said, although the government promised to launch it within the stipulated time, there is concern about visible progress. He also commented that if there is any attempt to hide the memory and sacrifice of July, the people will not accept it.
Urging everyone to refrain from any kind of harassment or violence against July fighters, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said, the state should behave responsibly towards those through whose sacrifice the current situation has been created. At the same time, he reaffirmed his position in favor of national unity in the greater interest of the country.
At the event, chaired by OIRD adviser and BUET professor Dr. Md. Fakhrul Islam, special guests included Jamaat's Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan, Dhaka South City Amir Md. Nurul Islam Bulbul, former DUSU VP Sadiq Kayem, Major (retd.) Akhtaruzzaman and other guests.
