Martyr's daughter laments lack of support for families after July uprising
Rufaida Islam, daughter of Monirul Islam who was killed during the July uprising, expressed deep sorrow and anger over the lack of support from political parties and the government for the families of martyrs. She stated that her father, who participated in protests on July 18 and 19, 2024, was shot and killed after evening prayers in Mirpur, yet neither the National Citizen Party (NCP), Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), nor Jamaat-e-Islami reached out to her family. Rufaida questioned why only certain martyrs like Abu Sayeed or Mugdho are remembered, while others, like her father who died in Mirpur, are neglected. She called for the implementation of the July Charter, asserting it is essential for international recognition and identity. Rufaida also demanded justice for those responsible for the July events, specifically calling for the trial of Sheikh Hasina. During a discussion forum titled 'July's Tears, the Nation's Debt,' organized by the State Dialogue Forum (SDF) for martyrs' families and injured participants, other grievances were aired. Mo. Shahina Begum, mother of martyr Sajjad Hossain (Sojol), shared her pain and recounted how her son's identification card, partially intact after being burned, allowed him to be identified. She also voiced disappointment with former interim government chief advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus, expecting him to establish the historical narrative of July, but feeling he left power to the BNP without resolving issues like unconfirmed graves or un-gazetted injured individuals. She questioned if martyrs' families deserved so little. Shahina Begum further urged for justice, calling for Sheikh Hasina and other accused to be brought to justice, or otherwise, to hand them over to the two thousand mothers who lost children in the July movement for them to enact their own judgment. Rokibul Islam, father of martyr Ramiz Uddin, questioned the reasons behind the July 2024 uprising and urged the government to ensure proper medical care for the injured, eliminate discrimination, implement justice for every martyr's killing, and recognize the July Charter and the referendum. Asaduzzaman Fuad, central general secretary of the My Bangladesh (AB) Party, proposed legislation to criminalize undermining the July movement or its martyrs and advocated for a dignified rehabilitation scheme, including lifelong pensions for families who lost their primary members.
The testimonies from the families of martyrs highlight a profound sense of abandonment and a demand for accountability following the July 2024 events. The expressed disillusionment with political entities and even figures like Professor Muhammad Yunus suggests a breakdown in trust and unmet expectations regarding transitional justice and memorialization. The call for justice, including specific demands for the trial of political leaders, points to a desire for systemic resolution rather than mere compensation. The proposed legislative measures by the AB Party indicate an effort to institutionalize remembrance and deter future historical revisionism, reflecting a broader societal need to reconcile with past traumas and establish a clear historical record. The differing perspectives on how justice should be administered—ranging from formal legal processes to vigilante-style retribution—underscore the deep emotional and societal divisions that persist.
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