Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday read out the historic July Declaration at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad, marking the first anniversary of the July uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s fascist regime.
The declaration placed special emphasis on granting constitutional recognition to the 2024 student-people uprising and enshrining the July Declaration in a reformed constitution, while also calling for the martyrs of the uprising to be recognised as national heroes with legal protection for those who participated in the movement.
Despite rains since morning, thousands of people gathered to witness the historic event, demonstrating the enduring public commitment to the ideals of last year’s movement.
The declaration traced Bangladesh’s political trajectory from the 1971 Liberation War to the July 2024 mass uprising, highlighting decades of constitutional manipulation, autocracy, corruption, suppression of dissent, and sham elections.
It described the Hasina government as having turned Bangladesh into a “fascist, mafia and failed state,” marred by rampant corruption, human rights abuses, and systemic destruction of state institutions.
It credited the anti-discrimination student movement of 2024 as the catalyst for the uprising, noting how state violence against peaceful protests transformed it into a nationwide revolt supported by all sections of society, culminating in Hasina’s resignation and flight on August 5, 2024.
Dr. Yunus declared that the interim government, formed constitutionally on August 8, 2024, now stands on the mandate of the people’s uprising.
The 28-point declaration pledged reforms for good governance, fair elections, rule of law, and social and economic justice. It vowed to bring to justice those responsible for enforced disappearances, killings, corruption, and crimes against humanity during the Awami League regime.
The declaration also outlined a vision for rebuilding Bangladesh as a democratic, corruption-free, and rights-based state, committing to sustainable and climate-resilient development strategies. It asserted that the July Declaration must be formally incorporated into the future constitution to immortalise the victory of the uprising and secure its place in national history.
The ceremony, attended by members of the Advisory Council, saw participation from political leaders including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Salauddin Ahmed, Mia Golam Parwar, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Nahid Islam, Nurul Haque Nur and Zonayed Saki.
Student leaders from Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Islami Chhatra Shibir, Ganotantrik Chhatra Sangsad, and other organisations also joined, braving the rain to honour the spirit of the movement.
