Former Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir central president Zahidul Islam said the July movement united people against oppression under a shared identity as the oppressed. He made the remarks on Friday as chief guest at the “July Awakening Cultural Evening” at the Central Shaheed Minar premises in Feni town.

Islam said genuine justice could not be established until what he described as the “deep state” was removed from Bangladesh. He said martyr Osman Hadi had begun public discussion about invisible and subtle forces within the state. Referring to the July movement, he cited the image of martyr Abu Sayed standing with both arms outstretched, saying protesters were prepared to risk their lives but did not bow to injustice.

He said members of martyrs’ families place greater emphasis on ending impunity than on their personal grief, and seek justice for those involved in killings. Raising the issue of a Chhatra League procession in Feni, he criticized its participants and urged the administration not to favour any side or encourage muscle politics. Several Jamaat leaders, relatives of martyrs, injured protesters and Chhatra Shibir activists attended the event.