They made these demands on Saturday at a discussion titled "The Role of University Teachers in the Fall of the Fascist Government," organized by Dhaka University White Panel and the University Teachers Association of Bangladesh (UTAB) at the Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building to mark the second anniversary of the 2024 Mass Uprising.
Abu Hossain, elder brother of martyr Abu Sayed, said his brother was shot dead on July 16, 2024, which helped transform the quota reform movement into a mass uprising. He acknowledged the supportive role of university teachers during the movement, similar to Professor Shamsuzzoha in 1969. He stated that while the 2024 uprising cannot be compared to the 1971 Liberation War, its objective was to restore and protect the independence achieved in 1971.
Expressing disappointment over recent mockery of the July uprising, he criticized the lack of expected protest from political parties and urged the government to take legal action against those involved in such acts.
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Shafiul Alam, father of martyr Wasim, said the aspirations of the martyrs should not be undermined by business or other interests. He called for creating opportunities for talented individuals and giving the new government time and cooperation to work.
Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdho, brother of martyr Mir Mugdho, said the martyrs' aspirations can be divided into three areas: transformation of the fascist state structure, change in political culture, and fair trial for the July-August killings. He criticized the portrayal of a young MP as the spokesperson for an entire generation, calling it a form of fascism.
He expressed disappointment over the current political culture, which he said resembles the fascist era, and voiced frustration over the lenient sentences given to a former IGP and a police officer involved in July killings, urging everyone to raise their voices. He concluded, "To change the country, we must first change ourselves."
The discussion was attended by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed as chief guest and Prime Minister's Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi as special guest. The session was chaired by DU White Panel Convener and UTAB Secretary General Professor Dr. Md. Morshed Hasan Khan.