BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has said that if Bangladesh fails to establish a safe and democratic state, the nation will continue to hold mourning gatherings instead of celebrating democratic victories. He made the remarks on Sunday at the Krishibid Institute in Dhaka during a meeting with families of those killed and injured in the July uprising. The event was chaired by BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan and attended by senior party leaders including Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

Rahman described those killed and injured in the July uprising as freedom fighters, comparing their struggle to that of 1971. He announced that if the BNP forms the next government, a separate division under the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs would be created to care for the families of the July martyrs and injured fighters. He said thousands had been victims of enforced disappearance, killing, and torture during the anti-fascist movement, calling the July killings a form of genocide.

Highlighting the importance of the upcoming national election, Rahman said a fair vote is essential for building a democratic Bangladesh and pledged to fulfill promises to the victims’ families if BNP assumes power.