Tarique Rahman promises to open a separate department to look after July fighters

If he gets the responsibility of running the country through the people’s vote, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has assured to open another department in the Liberation War Affairs Ministry to look after the families of the July martyrs and July fighters. He made this promise at a view-exchange meeting with the family members of the martyrs and injured in the July uprising at the Krishibid Institute in the capital today, Sunday (January 18).
Tarique Rahman said, “If we fail to establish a safe and democratic Bangladesh, then in the future we will have to hold mourning rallies and write mourning stories. So, no more mourning rallies, let’s write the victory story of democracy in democratic Bangladesh.” He said, “All those who were martyred and injured in the July uprising are freedom fighters. Just as the freedom fighters achieved the country’s independence in 1971, the July fighters have also protected the country’s independence and sovereignty in 2024.”
He further said, ‘If the BNP is able to form the government, a separate department will be formed under the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, whose responsibility will be to look after the families of the martyrs of July and the injured fighters. We will not be able to return our lost relatives, but we will definitely fulfill our state duty to alleviate the grief of their families.’
Stating that thousands of people have been victims of disappearances, murders and torture in the anti-fascist movement for a long decade and a half, Tarique Rahman said, ‘In the July uprising alone, more than 1,500 people were martyred and about 30,000 people were injured. Many were permanently disabled. This killing can be called a genocide in one word.’
He said, the 2024 uprising was not a movement of any party or group; it was a mass movement of ordinary people, regardless of party, opinion or religion. The aim of this movement was to ensure the political and economic rights of the people.
Describing the upcoming national elections as very important, the BNP Chairman said, “A fair election is essential to build a safe and democratic Bangladesh. If BNP gets the responsibility of running the country by the verdict of the people, the promise made to the martyrs and the injured will be implemented in stages, InshaAllah.” At the end of his speech, Tarique Rahman prayed for the forgiveness of the souls of the martyrs and the speedy recovery of the injured. BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and other top leaders of the party were present in the meeting. Tarique Rahman’s wife Dr. Zobaida Rahman also participated. About 1,400 family members of the martyrs and the injured were invited to the meeting.