The Inqilab Manch, a group of July uprising participants, has threatened strong movement if the interim government observes the newly declared “New Bangladesh Day” on 8 August.
The group would hold a “Red March” from the Shahbagh intersection to Manik Mia Avenue in the capital, and stage demonstrations at all regional government offices across the country on 8 August, if the government does not meet its demands, the group’s leaders said at a press conference.
Sharif Osman bin Hadi, spokesperson for the Inqilab Manch, announced the demonstrations at the press conference held at Dhaka University’s Madhur Canteen on Friday afternoon.
On 8 August 2024, the interim government took oath from the fascist-era President, dashing hopes among the uprising participants of forming a “revolutionary government” to implement major state reforms, Inqilab Manch leaders claimed at a press conference on Friday.
Sharif Osman called for exposing the interim government advisers who worked “behind-the-scenes to erode the prospects of forming a revolutionary government.”
Almost ten months into its tenure the interim government has failed to implement significant state reform proposals, as dreamt during the uprising, nullifying the relevance of “New Bangladesh Day” on 8 August, they alleged.
Sharif Osman also categorically criticised the government for prioritizing political parties over the uprising participants in finalizing state reform measures and announcing the “July Charter.”
"Our National Liberation Day is 5 August — not 8 August. If the interim government moves forward with its plan, we will treat it as an act of betrayal to the July Revolution," Sharif Osman claimed.
He further demanded that 5 August be officially declared as “National Liberation Day” or “Second Independence Day”, commemorating as a turning point in the people’s struggle against Awami League fascism.
The organization also called for 16 July to be recognized as “Martyr’s Day” or “July Martyr’s Day”, instead of merely observing it as “Abu Sayeed Day.” “Not only Abu Sayeed, but five more brave souls were martyred on 16 July. The state must honour all of them equally,” Hadi added.
Criticizing the delay in the release of the July Charter, Hadi expressed frustration: “Even after 30 working days, the charter has not been published. The interim government seems more concerned with appeasing political parties than respecting the voices of the martyrs’ families and the injured.”
He emphasized that the state reform process must prioritize the sacrifices made during the July Movement. “The interim government must recognize that its accountability lies not only with the political parties, but first and foremost with the families of the two thousand martyrs as well as the thirty thousand injured who made the uprising possible.”
Another key demand from the Inqilab Manch is the formal recognition of the roles played by students of Qawmi madrasas and private universities during the July uprising. “Their sacrifices and contributions cannot be erased from history,” Hadi said.
The upcoming “Red March” will include the families of the martyrs, injured protesters, and student representatives. Hadi concluded, “If the participants decide to stay on the streets until the July Charter is released, we will stand beside them with full force.”
The march aims to press for the swift realization and publication of the long-promised July Charter.
