‘State must have responsibility for martyrs, injured of July Uprising’
- Update Time : Sunday, 18 January, 2026, 03:27 pm
- 2 Time View
Online Desk : BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday said the state must assume responsibility for the families of those killed and injured in the July mass uprising, pledging institutional support if his party returns to power. Speaking at an exchange of views with victims’ families at the Krishibid Institute in Dhaka’s Farmgate-Khamarbari area, Tarique said the BNP would create a dedicated department under the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs to ensure welfare and rehabilitation for those affected.
“When BNP previously governed the country, the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs was established to look after the families of those martyred and injured in the 1971 Liberation War,” he said. “If BNP forms the next government with people’s mandate, we will take responsibility for the martyrs and injured of the July Movement as well.” BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan presided over the event. Other top BNP leaders are also present. Tarique Rahman’s wife Zubaida Rahman was also present.
He said, “We cannot bring back the person we have lost, but we can take care of the various benefits and disadvantages of the family members who have been left behind – through this Ministry of Liberation War. Because those who lost their life in July Uprising are also a freedom fighter, they are also considered as freedom fighters.” “In 71, the people of this country, the freedom fighters gave their lives to achieve the independence of this country, the fighters made sacrifices to achieve the independence of this country; in the same way, the fighters who fought in July Uprising fought to protect the sovereignty of independence.”
The BNP leader said, “The sovereignty of independence was achieved in 71, it was protected again in 2024. That is why we will create another department within the Ministry of Liberation War whose responsibility will be to take care of these people, In sha Allah.” Tarique Rahman said, “Thousands of people have disappeared, been murdered and kidnapped in the anti-fascist movement that has been going on for more than a decade and a half. I spoke to and met many such families yesterday. Countless families have lost everything and been torn apart.”
“In the July Uprising alone, more than 1,400 people were martyred, and about 30,000 people were injured. Among these 30,000 people, there are some people whose number is about 500—some of whom have lost one or both eyes. Many have become disabled. We can simply call it a ‘genocide’ in one sentence.”
The BNP Chairman said, “Many of those who were injured in various ways in the July uprising are present at today’s event, some of whom have also delivered speeches before us. We have heard the words of pain of the injured participants in the event who have delivered speeches. Dear brothers, because of you, because of your courageous role—those who were martyred, those who were injured—because of your courageous role, the fascist has not only lost state power, but has also been forced to flee this country.”
Tarique Rahman further said, “If we fail to establish a safe and democratic Bangladesh in the future, then we will continue to have mourning rallies and mourning stories like this. So, no more mourning stories or mourning rallies, but let the people who love democracy write the victory story of democracy in the future Bangladesh, Insha Allah.”
