Families of those killed during the July uprising gathered at Shahbagh in Dhaka on Friday (April 25) to demand justice for the victims and a ban on the Awami League party.
The "Martyrs' Assembly" was organized by a platform called Inqilab Mancha under the banner "Demanding justice for the July, Pilkhana, and Shapla massacres and a ban on the genocidal Awami League."
Family members of the victims expressed their grief and anger during the event, insisting that reforms and elections should only take place after justice is served for those killed during the uprising.
"Why should we have to take to the streets while this government remains in power? A farce is going on here. There will be reforms in Bangladesh, there will be elections, but justice must come first. The main focus of reforms should be justice," said Robiul Awal, brother of martyr Imam Hasan.
The mother of martyr Saim broke down in tears while speaking. "My son was killed in Jatrabari. What was his crime? He joined the movement. He had no weapons," she said.
She went on saying, "I haven't received justice for my son's murder. May this autocrat Hasina be brought back to the country and hanged."
"The Awami League should never return. They should be banned. This is our plea. My pain is that my son is gone. When will I get justice for my son?" she added.
Shahina Begum, mother of martyr Sajjad Hossain Sajal, said, "My son was burned alive on a van in Ashulia. He was still alive then.
She said, "The Awami League must be banned. Their registration must be canceled. Otherwise, I won't let it go. One child has died, but I have hundreds of children in this country, and they won't let it go either."
Tasnuva Maha, wife of Major Tanvir Haider Noor who was killed in the 2009 Pilkhana massacre, said, "My husband's body has still not been found. A body was buried, but it wasn't my husband's. That day, there were three Hindi-speaking people outside my room. They checked my children's clothes to see if they were boys or girls."
She said, "So many mothers' hearts were emptied during the July movement. If you cannot bring justice, we cannot hold our heads high."
At the event other martyrs families also demanded justice with ban on Awami League.
Sarjis Alam, chief organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP), said, "Reform or election, stop this game and ensure justice. The legitimacy of the current government comes from the martyrs. Nothing can be relevant in Bangladesh before justice for the killing of the martyrs of the July uprising."
BDST: 2118 HRS, April 25, 2025
MSK
