Uttara July Uprising martyrs’ families demand justice
Family members of students who were martyred during the July Uprising Movement in Uttara have called for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s return to the country and execution for her role in the deaths of their children.
The demand was made at a conference organised by the National Revolutionary Council, Chhatrisher Sahasini, and the Global Knowledge Foundation at Shaheed Mugdha Mancha at Azampur in Dhaka's Uttara on Saturday evening, December 28, said a press release.
The families expressed their frustration over what they perceive as government neglect, claiming that the sacrifices of the martyrs have been forgotten. They lamented the lack of support from the authorities and criticised the ongoing impunity of the police officers involved in the killings. Despite the presence of accused individuals, the families allege that the police are failing to arrest or hold them accountable.
Ainun Nahar, the mother of Shaheed Naima Sultana, spoke emotionally about her daughter’s death, saying, “I kept my daughter at home, but still, I could not protect her. Now, when I see the police, my tears flow uncontrollably. They are responsible for my daughter’s death.”
Abul Hasan, father of Shaheed Shahriar Hasan Alvi, shared the deep pain of losing his child: “More than two thousand of our children were martyred, but no one can understand the pain of seeing your shot child’s body in front of you. Even in our mourning, we’ve been threatened. We were not allowed to sleep in two mosques.” He further demanded that the government bring the killers to justice, saying, “We ask you to bring Sheikh Hasina back to the country and execute her for murdering our children.”
Rokeya Begum, mother of martyr Jabir Ibrahim, demanded justice for her son and others like him, “Can anyone bring back my Jabir? No, but we want justice. We want justice for all the Jabirs who were murdered.” Her husband, Kabir Hossain, added, “If two thousand students are martyred, then two thousand policemen are the murderers. But have we seen any of them arrested?”
Shaheed Sifat Hasan’s father echoed similar sentiments, noting that despite the government’s inability to compensate for the loss of their children, the martyrs’ families only seek justice for the killings.
Mir Mustafizur Rahman, father of Shaheed Mir Mugdha, remarked that the July Movement, initially a struggle for basic rights, was met with violent repression by the government. “It is hard to believe that any democratic government would open fire on peaceful protesters,” he said. He called for justice for the targeted students and proper treatment for the injured.
Other grieving parents, including the mothers of martyrs like Shaheed Sajjad Hossain Sajal, Shaheed Zahiduzzaman Tanvin, and Shaheed Shafiq Uddin Ahnaf, also spoke out at the event, sharing their stories of pain, neglect, and frustration with the lack of accountability.
The conference, chaired by Global Knowledge Foundation Chairman Rabeya Akhter and moderated by Omar Faruq, was attended by former Dhaka University Professor Tazmeri SA Islam, Anisur Rahman, Political Head of the National Revolutionary Council,, Shafiur Rahman, Organisational Head of NRC), and Mohammad Hasan Arif, NRC Member Secretary. Abdul Wahed and Fazlur Rahman from the Revolutionary Students Council also participated.
During the event, various demands were presented to the government, including:
- Providing dignity and support for the families of the July Revolution martyrs
- Establishing a Shaheed Smriti Public Library and a Shishu Academy in Uttara
- Forming an international standard psychological support team for children affected by the movement
- Acknowledging the contributions of women and children in the history of the July Revolution.
