Dhaka, August 5, 2025 — Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam has expressed disappointment over the absence of any mention of the 2013 Shapla Square crackdown in the recently unveiled July Declaration, a foundational document recognizing the 2024 uprising and outlining future reforms for Bangladesh. Junaid Habib, Senior Joint Secretary General of Hefazat-e-Islam, stated that the May 5, 2013 incident, in which “over a hundred thousand rounds were reportedly fired in a single night” during their rally at Shapla Chattar, was a defining moment in the fight against authoritarianism. According to Habib, thousands of scholars and religious leaders sacrificed their lives in that protest — an episode that deserved a place in the declaration. He further criticized the lack of a Qur’an recitation at the beginning of the July Declaration ceremony, saying it hurt the sentiments of over 92% of the country's Muslim population. "This omission is not just a procedural oversight; it's a symbolic disregard for the religious identity of the majority," Habib said. The July Declaration, which was formally read out today by Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the National Parliament’s South Plaza, was attended by top leaders of various political parties. However, Hefazat’s absence from the content of the document and its ceremonial protocols has triggered backlash from the group.