Families of July uprising martyrs block Shahbagh
Dozens of family members of martyrs from the July uprising gathered at the Shahbagh intersection on Wednesday, blocking traffic to demand justice and official recognition for their loved ones' sacrifices.
Armed with photographs of the deceased and placards calling for accountability, the protesters expressed frustration over what they described as governmental indifference and neglect.
One protester, whose son lost his life during the uprising, lamented, "We have knocked on every door seeking justice and recognition for our martyrs, but instead of compassion, we were met with disrespect."
The families accused authorities of failing to honour the sacrifices made during the historic movement.
They specifically called for the extradition of Sheikh Hasina from India and her subsequent trial for orchestrating the violence that led to the deaths of many young people.
The masterminds behind the July massacre must face justice, they emphasised.
The families revealed that they have been attempting to meet Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus for months but have repeatedly been denied access.
A participant shared their experience: "We recently visited Jamuna [the chief adviser's official residence], but his officials kept us waiting for six hours before sending us away without granting a meeting."
The protesters criticised the current legal proceedings related to the uprising, labelling them a "circus." They argued that many individuals responsible for ordering and executing the crackdown remain unaccounted for. "Most of the perpetrators are still at large, living freely while our children lie buried," said another family member. "This is an affront to the memory of those who gave everything for this country."
Determined to see their demands fulfilled, the families declared they would not leave Shahbagh until their grievances were addressed.
Their demands include – official recognition of the martyrs of the July uprising, fair compensation for the families of the victims, swift legal action against all individuals involved in planning and carrying out the violence.
