A section of those injured in the July-August uprising has blockaded the Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka, demanding the formal issuance of the July Charter and July Declaration.

The demonstrators began their sit-in protest at the key intersection on Thursday (31 July) at 10am, and were still occupying the area as of 1 pm.

Protesters stated that they would continue their demonstration until the government issues both the July Charter and the July Declaration. 

A segment of those injured in the July-August uprising has taken control of the Shahbagh intersection.

Masud Rana Sourav, the lead organiser of the movement, said, “Our protest will continue until our demands are met. We’ve held multiple rounds of talks with the state, but the state has repeatedly stalled and deceived us. No more promises—this time, the July Charter and Declaration must be issued beyond all commitments. Otherwise, we will carry on this protest.”

Injured protester Nazir Ahmed Khan said, “We’ve shed blood, and we are no longer afraid to shed it again. Those who gave their lives to topple autocracy are the true sons of the nation. Don’t try to frighten us with death. Threats of abduction or killing won’t work. For 17 years, all political parties have failed. But when the true sons of the nation took to the streets, Hasina was forced to flee within a month.”

Another protester, Md Babu Islam, said, “We’ve been issued July Warrior Cards. But what are we supposed to do with those? Our injured brothers aren’t receiving proper treatment at hospitals. They’ve handed us symbolic health cards as if mocking us.”

He added, “We demand the July Charter be issued. Otherwise, a future government could frame us in cases or harass us at any time. We don’t want to be entangled in that.”

SMS/