PM Urges Nation to Preserve July Uprising Unity, Condemns Hasina’s Fascist Rule

Online Desk : Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday called on all pro-democracy political parties, organisations and citizens to safeguard the unity forged during the 2024 July Mass Uprising, saying it was built on the sacrifices of thousands who stood against the fascist rule of Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League.

In a message marking the second anniversary of the July Mass Uprising Day, the Prime Minister described August 5 as a historic day that ended more than one and a half decades of what he termed the fascist and brutal rule of Sheikh Hasina, restoring the people’s democratic rights.

“An unprecedented national unity has been forged on the blood-soaked streets sanctified by the sacrifice of thousands of martyrs. It is our duty to preserve this unity at all costs,” he said.

Tarique said differences of opinion are a natural part of democracy but urged all democratic forces to ensure that political disagreements never turn into hostility.

“We may differ on many issues, but every political party, individual and group that stands on the side of democracy shares the responsibility of protecting this unity,” he said.

The Prime Minister alleged that Bangladesh endured years of repression under the Awami League government, during which opposition parties, particularly the BNP and other anti-fascist political forces, faced widespread persecution in their movement to restore voting rights and democratic governance.

He said enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, abductions, torture and politically motivated cases became routine under the previous administration. He also recalled that former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia had been imprisoned on what he described as false charges.

Tarique further accused the Hasina government of establishing secret detention facilities, commonly known as “Aynaghar”, to silence political opponents.

According to him, numerous opposition leaders and activists were held incommunicado for months or years, while many remain missing, including former BNP lawmaker Ilias Ali and former Dhaka commissioner Chowdhury Alam.

The Prime Minister alleged that the judiciary, Election Commission and other constitutional institutions were weakened during the Awami League’s rule, while elections lost credibility and citizens were deprived of their voting rights.

He also claimed that corruption, financial irregularities and money laundering became institutionalised, pushing the banking sector into crisis and damaging the country’s economy, education and healthcare sectors.

Recalling the July-August 2024 movement, Tarique said people from all walks of life—including students, workers, farmers, professionals, journalists, women and children—joined the uprising demanding democracy and an end to authoritarian rule.

He accused the Hasina government of responding with brutal force, alleging that security forces opened fire on peaceful demonstrators, including from helicopters, causing heavy casualties.

The Prime Minister paid tribute to those killed during the uprising, mentioning Abu Sayed, Wasim Akram, Mugdho and many others whose sacrifices, he said, inspired the movement for democracy.

He said thousands were killed and around 30,000 people were injured during the July-August uprising, with many suffering permanent disabilities.

According to Tarique, the sacrifices of the protesters ultimately led to the collapse of what he described as the fascist regime, forcing Sheikh Hasina to flee Ganabhaban on August 5, 2024.

He said the events of that day marked an unprecedented chapter in Bangladesh’s history and symbolised the victory of democratic forces over authoritarianism.

Paying tribute to all those who sacrificed their lives, the Prime Minister called on the nation to build a just, democratic and self-reliant Bangladesh founded on equality, human dignity and social justice.

He also pledged that Bangladesh would never again allow autocracy, fascism, extremism or militancy to take root in the country.

Concluding his message, Tarique Rahman said the Liberation War of 1971 secured Bangladesh’s independence, while the 2024 July Mass Uprising defended the nation’s freedom and democratic future.

He said the country would always remember the martyrs of both 1971 and the July Mass Uprising of 2024.