Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday joined the July National Conference-2026, organised to mark the second anniversary of the 2024 July Uprising and honour those killed and injured during the movement.

The programme began at 10:12 am at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Agargaon with a remembrance ceremony jointly organised by the July 24 Martyred Families Society and the central executive committee of "Amra July Joddha", reports UNB.

"The conference is being held in remembrance of the bloody July Revolution. The programme is dedicated to the martyrs," Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said.

He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended the programme as the chief guest.

Families of those who were martyred in the July mass uprising and those who were injured attended the event.

The programme began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran.

A special munajat was then offered for the eternal peace of the souls of the July martyrs, followed by the national anthem.

Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni chaired the programme which was attended by cabinet members, lawmakers, political leaders, ambassadors and high commissioners, senior military and civil officials, and leaders of various professional bodies.

The July Uprising refers to the 2024 student-led movement that began with demands for reforms to the quota system in government jobs.

It later grew into a wider protest, leading to the ouster of the Awami League government and the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India on August 5, 2024.

July martyrs’ families become emotional with PM

Every July, old wounds reopen for the families who lost sons, brothers and loved ones in the uprising. Two years after the movement, their grief remains as fresh as ever, and so does their single, unwavering demand – justice, reports BSS.

Family members of the July martyrs and injured fighters stood before Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and turned a commemorative gathering into an emotional testimony of pain, sacrifice and hope.

The conference echoed with stories of lives forever changed. Tears flowed freely as parents, siblings and survivors recounted the moments that shattered their families and appealed for justice for those killed during the July Mass Uprising.

For Abdul Rob Mia, father of martyred Miraj Hossain, the arrival of July no longer marks the passage of time – it marks the return of unbearable memories.

"Every July brings back unbearable pain," he said through tears. "On August 5, police of the fascist Hasina government riddled my son's chest with bullets. I am a helpless father seeking justice for this crime and for every July fighter who was killed."

His grief was shared by Shafiul Alam, the father of martyred Wasim from Chattogram, who said losing his son had left an emptiness that could never be filled.

"I have lost my son. No other parent should have to endure such loss," he said. While demanding justice, he also appealed to the government to stand beside those who survived the movement with permanent disabilities. "I urge the government to support the July fighters who lost their limbs so they do not suffer hardship," he said.

Abu Hossain, brother of Abu Sayed, spoke not only of his own family's loss but also of the struggles facing countless others.

"My brother sacrificed his life fighting against the fascist government," he said, adding, "Inspired by him, many others also gave their lives or were permanently disabled. Many martyr families lost their sole breadwinner and are living in extreme hardship."

He urged the government to support those families, ensure swift justice for his brother's murder, and preserve the memories of the July fighters across the country.