State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj said the July mass uprising was not the sole achievement of any individual, political party or group. Speaking as chief guest on Monday at a discussion titled “Voice of July: Youth, Resolve, Resistance” at Canadian University of Bangladesh in Dhaka, he described it as the result of the shared aspirations and participation of people from different professions and viewpoints. He said no side should be allowed to claim exclusive ownership of the uprising.

Hajjaj said the uprising’s significance could not be understood if it was treated only as a specific movement. People took to the streets over varied demands, including jobs, democracy, rights and protests against injustice, but ultimately developed a common aspiration for a state and system of government run for the public and one that protects citizens’ rights and dignity.

Referring to what he said was the later political ownership of the historical spirit of the Liberation War, Hajjaj urged vigilance to prevent a similar situation concerning the July uprising. He also called on university students to hold governments accountable after they are formed by monitoring representatives and asking questions. State Minister Nurul Haque Nur attended as chief speaker.