Opposition lawmaker Rokeya Begum called for implementation of the July Charter, saying the desired change cannot be achieved without it. She made the remarks on Tuesday as chief guest at a daylong discussion and prize-giving event at Mugdha Mancha in Uttara, Dhaka, marking the second anniversary of the July mass uprising.

Identifying herself as the mother of martyr Jaber Ibrahim, Begum said she attended in memory of nearly 1,400 martyrs. She said July had changed their lives and that they could no longer live normally. She said the young men had given their lives to build a beautiful Bangladesh and asked people to pray for the martyrs and heroes.

The event was organised by the July Mass Uprising Celebration Committee, Uttara, chaired by joint convener Dr Mostafa Faisal Parvez and conducted by member secretary Kamrul Hasan. Its programme included a July photo exhibition, recollections by martyrs’ families and injured people, discussions, prize distribution, an event titled “Bidroher Uttara,” and cultural performances. A qawwali evening by Kashida was a special attraction, with more than a thousand students, guardians and local residents attending.