Leaders and participants in Rangpur observed July Martyrs’ Day on Thursday by paying tribute at the July Memorial and calling for unity to strengthen democracy and advance national prosperity. The event was attended by the Minister for Liberation War Affairs, the State Minister for Water Resources, and representatives from political, administrative, and social organizations. The Liberation War Affairs Minister said the spirit of the July martyrs would inspire democratic consolidation and national progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

At Babonpur village in Pirganj, Dhaka North Jamaat-e-Islami leader S.M. Khaliduzzaman visited the grave of July Movement martyr Abu Sayeed, expressing concern that the country was again moving toward authoritarianism. He alleged that the ideals of the July Movement remained unfulfilled. Later, local Jamaat leaders held prayers and a rally at the site. Leaders from the Bangladesh Nationalist Students’ Party and Islami Chhatra Shibir also paid tribute, urging justice for past killings and warning of protests if delays continued.

Throughout the day, various programs in Rangpur honored the martyrs, emphasizing justice, democracy, and equality as guiding principles for the nation.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Zahid Ur Rahman stated that the BNP embodies the spirit of July and the ideals of the Liberation War. He made the remarks on Thursday at a discussion organized by the July Martyrs Memorial Foundation (JSSF) at the National Film Archive in Agargaon, Dhaka, marking July Martyrs’ Day. He emphasized that the nation cannot forget the July martyrs and that Bangladesh should not return to a time when protests led to bloodshed.

Dr. Rahman said the current government, which came to power after the July events, was actively involved in that movement and continues to uphold the values of the Liberation War. He stressed that the government has a moral responsibility to support the families of the martyrs and the injured, noting that the July Martyrs Memorial Foundation is facing financial hardship and its staff have not received salaries for a long time.

He pledged to personally work toward resolving the foundation’s financial problems, calling the situation painful and shameful, and reiterated that gratitude alone is not enough without concrete action.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam said it is the nation’s duty to build a just and equitable Bangladesh following the ideals of martyr Abu Saeed. He made the remarks on Thursday in Rangpur after visiting Abu Saeed’s grave, describing him as the spiritual leader of the July Revolution and the first martyr of that movement. Nahid Islam recalled that Abu Saeed’s sacrifice in 2024 sparked the student and public uprising that led to the revolution.

He stated that the July Revolution had three main demands—justice, state reform, and elections—but only elections have been held so far. Referring to the Abu Saeed murder case, he said the verdict has been delivered but not yet implemented due to an ongoing appeal. Nahid Islam alleged that Sheikh Hasina, sentenced to death in the case, should be brought back to face justice. He also criticized the government for failing to implement the July Charter and the reform mandate supported by 70 percent of voters in a referendum.

Nahid Islam added that if the government sincerely pursues reforms, the NCP will fully cooperate to realize the revolution’s goals.

The Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (ChakSU) organized a prayer gathering on Thursday after Asr prayers at the university’s central mosque, seeking forgiveness for the souls of all martyrs of the July uprising. The event was conducted by ChakSU’s Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary Monayem Sharif and attended by former Rangamati Science and Technology University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Atiar Rahman, Chittagong University Associate Professor of Philosophy Mozammel Haque, ChakSU Vice President Ibrahim Hossain Roni, General Secretary Saeed Bin Habib, and other leaders.

During the event, Professor Atiar Rahman emphasized the importance of revisiting the events of July to preserve their historical significance. He criticized past government subservience to foreign influence and recalled the role of student leader Osman Hadi in anti-imperialist movements. Rahman also reflected on the lack of faculty support during the uprising and mentioned past attacks on his residence. ChakSU Vice President Roni recounted the sacrifices of students in Chittagong and Rangpur on July 16, describing the day as one of courage and revolutionary spirit.

The gathering concluded with special prayers for the martyrs, the recovery of the injured, and the welfare of the nation.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam MP said the Prime Minister’s recent visit to China brought no achievement regarding the Teesta mega project. Speaking at a farmers’ rally and the launch of the National Farmers’ Power in Kurigram Sadar on Thursday, he alleged that the northern region has long suffered from development disparity and that the government deliberately reduced major development allocations because most opposition MPs represent the area.

Nahid Islam criticized the national budget for failing to address regional and economic inequality in northern Bangladesh, saying people are being deprived of their rights. He pledged to ensure voting and economic rights for the region’s residents. NCP member secretary Akhtar Hossain highlighted farmers’ debt-related suicides, contrasting them with large-scale loan defaulters. Kurigram-2 MP Dr. Atik Mujahid said the district received only 0.22 percent of national development funds over 17 years, while Gopalganj got 5 percent, calling for equal development opportunities.

The event concluded with the announcement of a partial convening committee for the National Farmers’ Power, naming Said Uzzal as convener and agriculturist Golam Mortuza Selim as member secretary.

The Eleven-Party Alliance held a rally and assembly at Shahbagh Square in Dhaka on Thursday afternoon to mark July Martyrs’ Day, demanding justice for the July massacre. The event was attended by families of martyrs and injured July fighters. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar presided over the rally, accusing the BNP of denying the July Revolution and betraying its revolutionaries. He alleged that BNP ministers and MPs had called the July Revolution unnecessary despite benefiting from it.

Speakers including Jamaat leaders, MPs, and representatives from allied parties criticized the BNP for rejecting the referendum results and failing to implement the July Charter. They claimed that nearly 70 percent of voters supported the charter, which aimed to build a just and discrimination-free Bangladesh. Several speakers urged the government to form a constitutional reform council and finalize the list of July martyrs, citing the UN’s figure of 1,400 victims.

The rally concluded with a procession from Shahbagh to the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) gate, where participants reiterated their demand for justice and implementation of the July Charter.

Bangladesh Navy Chief Admiral M Nazmul Hasan paid a farewell courtesy call on Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman at the Army Headquarters on Thursday. During the meeting, the Bangladesh Army extended a guard of honor to the Navy Chief, and senior officers from the Army Headquarters were present. The discussion focused on strengthening mutual trust, professionalism, and inter-service cooperation between the two forces. The information was shared through the verified Facebook page of the Bangladesh Army.

Admiral Nazmul Hasan assumed the role of Navy Chief on July 24, 2023. He was commissioned into the Bangladesh Navy on July 1, 1986, and has served in various staff, instructional, and command positions. His previous roles include Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Operations), Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Personnel), Director of Naval Operations and Naval Intelligence, and Director General of the Civil-Military Relations Directorate at the Armed Forces Division.

The farewell meeting highlighted the continuity of cooperation between the Bangladesh Army and Navy as leadership transitions take place within the armed forces.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to resume celebrating National Youth Day on November 1 each year, as was done previously. The decision was approved at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat on Thursday. According to a press release from the Cabinet Division, International Youth Day will continue to be observed separately on August 12.

The proposal, initiated by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, reverses an earlier interim government decision that had combined both observances on August 12. The ministry explained that holding both events during the monsoon season made it difficult to organize youth rallies, gatherings, and fairs, limiting participation and commercial success. Youth entrepreneurs also faced challenges in displaying and selling their products.

Under the new arrangement, National Youth Day will be celebrated with government funding, while International Youth Day will continue to be observed with support from government, non-government, and development partners.

Maulana A.H.M. Abdul Halim, Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, called on supporters not to betray the sacrifices of the July martyrs and to work sincerely toward realizing their ideals. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon at a discussion meeting marking July Martyrs Day, organized by the Gazipur Metropolitan branch of Jamaat-e-Islami under the BRT flyover in Tongi’s Cheragali area.

The event was presided over by Professor Muhammad Jamal Uddin, Amir of Gazipur Metropolitan Jamaat, and conducted by youth secretary Neyamat Ullah Shaker. Central executive council member Muhammad Abdur Rab and several local Jamaat leaders also addressed the gathering. Speakers emphasized justice, accountability, and the establishment of a humane state as part of fulfilling the martyrs’ vision.

In his speech, Abdul Halim stressed the need for national consensus on constitutional reform and the formation of a new reform commission with participation from all political forces. The program concluded with special prayers for the martyrs, the injured, and the welfare of the nation.

Bangladesh National Parliament Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni has called on citizens to uphold the spirit of the July uprising, describing it as a symbol of the people's democratic rights. Speaking on Thursday at the inauguration of the traditional Sri Sri Jashomadhab Deva Rath Yatra festival in Dhamrai, Dhaka, he urged everyone not to sell out this spirit but to embody it in their hearts.

Moni stated that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has affirmed there are no minorities in Bangladesh, emphasizing equal rights for all citizens regardless of religion. He said the BNP does not believe in fundamentalism and that all communities, including Hindus and Muslims, will equally benefit from state facilities such as farmer cards. He also alleged that about 30 trillion taka had been laundered from Bangladesh over the past 16 years and accused the Awami League of exploiting communal tensions for political gain.

The event was attended by several lawmakers, local officials, and a large number of devotees and visitors. Organizers said the month-long fair will continue until July 24, concluding with the return of the deity through the reverse Rath Yatra.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that India’s only disliked political organization is Jamaat-e-Islami. He said India shows a red card to the party, but Jamaat does not care because it has no intention of entering Indian territory. He made these remarks on Thursday at a discussion meeting organized by Dhaka Metropolitan South Jamaat at the IDEB auditorium in Kakrail, marking July Martyrs’ Day.

Dr. Rahman said that while everyone acknowledges the achievements of 2024, some people remain stuck in the past. He remarked that without the events of 2024, Tarique Saheb would not have become prime minister, nor he himself the opposition leader. He emphasized that a nation cannot progress if it remains focused on the past.

He further stated that one of the main demands of the July movement was state reform and criticized claims that people do not understand referendum questions. He urged against misuse of majority power and warned that election irregularities would eventually be exposed, adding that if solutions are not found in parliament, they will be sought on the streets.

A rally and gathering were held in Comilla city to mark the martyrdom anniversary of Abu Sayeed, one of the key martyrs of the 2024 mass uprising. The event, organized by the 11-Party Alliance, took place at Comilla Town Hall field on Thursday evening. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami central executive member and Comilla city Ameer Kazi Din Mohammad presided over the meeting, which was followed by a colorful rally through the city’s main streets ending at the central Eidgah ground.

Speakers at the event remembered the sacrifices of Abu Sayeed and other martyrs, urging all patriotic forces to work together for democracy, justice, accountability, and the establishment of people’s rights. They emphasized the need to build a just and humane society to honor the martyrs’ legacy. Representatives from Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP), and Khelafat Majlish, among others, addressed the gathering.

Participants carried banners and chanted slogans in memory of the martyrs, with a large number of political and social activists joining the procession.

Hamas has called on Palestinians to resist Israel’s newly approved settlement expansion plan in the occupied West Bank, according to Al Jazeera. Hamas official Abdul Rahman Shadid urged residents to strengthen their presence in areas targeted for settlement construction to prevent forced displacement by Israeli authorities. He stated that settler violence would not break the morale of Palestinians or drive them from their land.

Shadid emphasized that steadfastness and resistance are the most effective ways to confront Israeli occupation and settlement policies. He also called for greater national unity and public mobilization under the current circumstances. The statement came as tensions continue over Israel’s settlement activities in the occupied territories.

Meanwhile, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that the country’s security cabinet had approved a budget allocation of 1.3 billion shekels (about 434 million dollars) to establish 34 new settlements in the West Bank.

Students of Rajshahi University organized a symbolic chase on Thursday afternoon to mark the anniversary of the July 16, 2024 incident when Bangladesh Chhatra League members fled the campus amid student protests. The event, held in front of Bijoy 24 Hall, was part of the university’s observance of ‘Anti-Terrorism Day’. Participants dressed some students as symbolic Chhatra League members and staged a mock chase through key campus roads before returning to the starting point.

Organizers said they commemorate July 16 as ‘Chhatra League-Free Day’ to honor the memory of those killed and injured during the 2024 July movement and to reaffirm their stance against fear, terrorism, and violent politics on campus. Student leaders described the event as a symbolic reenactment of the day when Chhatra League activists were forced to leave the university.

The program aimed to preserve the memory of the July movement and promote a campus environment free from political violence, according to participants.

Fisheries, Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid stated that the current government is committed to safeguarding the religious freedom and communal harmony of every citizen in Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Thursday in Comilla while addressing the traditional Rath Yatra festival of the Sanatan community as the chief guest.

The minister emphasized that Bangladesh has a long history of communal harmony among Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians. He noted that although some individuals have tried to create division for personal gain, they have never succeeded due to public awareness. Rashid added that all religions teach justice, peace, and human welfare, and that religion should be a means of unity and compassion rather than division.

He praised the large turnout at the event, describing it as a reflection of strong brotherhood and mutual respect. The minister called on all citizens to uphold tolerance and harmony to build a peaceful and prosperous non-communal Bangladesh.