Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and Amir of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said an attempt has been made to forget the memory and spirit of the mass movement in July, but that effort will be resisted with the people.
He was speaking at the unveiling of the book titled ‘July Movement’ at the Sirdap auditorium in the capital on Tuesday (August 4th).
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said there was no single ‘mastermind’ of the July movement. In his words, some people who did not take part in the movement are now claiming to be their main planner, which is not consistent with reality.
He added that those who called Sheikh Hasina’s departure on August 5th were now busy sharing the achievement of the coup.
Referring to the situation during the July movement, Jamaat-e-Amir said it was a very difficult time for the protesters. In many cases, even their families did not have the courage to give shelter.
He claimed that everyone who took part in the movement was a ‘mastermind’. He urged the government not to lose any contribution to the movement.
Criticism of the past, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said the full list of martyrs, injured and freedom fighters in the 1971 Liberation War has not yet been prepared. He called for the same mistake not to happen in the July 2024 movement.
Jamaat-e-Islami also stressed the need to preserve the correct history of the July movement and present it to future generations.