Opposition chief whip and National Citizens’ Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam said the government must open the July National Museum by August 5 or the public will open it themselves and arrange access on their own.
He made the remarks at a press conference on Wednesday (July 1) after paying respects at the mass grave of those killed in the July uprising at Rayerbazar in Dhaka.
“Today is July 1. Two years ago, a mass uprising took place. We have come to Rayerbazar to pay our respects at the mass graves of the martyrs. Starting today, a 36-day program begins. Events commemorating the July uprising will be held across Dhaka and the rest of the country,” Nahid Islam said.
He said: “We remember with deep respect the martyrs — Abu Sayed, Mugdho, Wasim, Farhan, Faiyaz, Riagop, and the nearly 1,400 who gave their lives in July. We also remember approximately 300 wounded July fighters. We salute the students from public and private universities, madrasas, schools, and colleges who took to the streets under the banner of the anti-discrimination student movement.”
“Workers, low-income people, women, teachers, parents, cultural activists, religious scholars, journalists, lawyers, expatriates, foreign friends, and members of the armed forces — including former and serving officers — all contributed directly or indirectly. We remember them all,” he added.
Expressing dissatisfaction with a recent tribunal verdict, he said: “Yesterday a tribunal verdict was delivered that has not satisfied the public. Martyr families and wounded fighters have not received justice. The sentence given to Hasanul Haq Inu is insufficient. We will appeal for a harsher punishment.”
He alleged that only two cases have been decided since the current government took office, and that investigation and report submission have been slow. “We want the trials completed swiftly,” he said.
On the trial of Sheikh Hasina, Nahid Islam said: “Sheikh Hasina and all those involved in the July massacre who have fled to India must be brought back and put on trial. Sheikh Hasina’s death sentence must be carried out.”
He called for the implementation of promises on financial support for martyr families and rehabilitation of July fighters, and said plans to preserve the graveyard have not been carried out.
On the July Charter and reforms, he said: “The July Charter must be implemented, reforms must be carried out, and the state structure must be reformed in accordance with the public referendum. We have not yet received those reforms.”
He criticized the government for not announcing any official program to mark the uprising’s anniversary. “Going through the motions is not enough — the aspirations must be fulfilled,” he said.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report