Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday opened the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum, established to preserve the history of the 2024 July Mass Uprising and commemorate the sacrifices of its martyrs and fighters.
The Prime Minister formally inaugurated the museum by unveiling its plaque at Ganabhaban, the former official residence of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar this morning, making the museum accessible to visitors.
Following the inauguration, Tarique Rahman toured the museum’s galleries and exhibitions featuring preserved artefacts, photographs, official documents, video footage and memorabilia related to the July Mass Uprising.
A documentary depicting the chronology of the July Mass Uprising, the participation and sacrifices of people from all walks of life, and the events leading to the movement’s success, was screened at the inaugural ceremony.
Prime Minister's daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman accompanied him during the programme.
Following the plaque unveiling, a munajat was offered after the recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha.
Former Chief Adviser of the Interim Government Professor Muhammad Yunus, Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury and the Prime Minister's Adviser on Information and Cultural Affairs Dr Zahed Ur Rahman, among others, were present on the occasion.
The museum, established at Ganabhaban, has been created to preserve the authentic history of the July Mass Uprising, document the nation's resistance against autocracy, pass that legacy on to future generations and honour the sacrifices of the martyrs and the July fighters.
On August 5, 2024, Sheikh Hasina left the country amid the student-led mass uprising, while thousands of protesters entered the Ganabhaban premises.
Three days later, on August 8, the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus assumed office and later initiated the process of preserving the site and establishing the museum.
The museum showcases photographs, official documents, video footage, personal belongings, eyewitness accounts and other exhibits related to the July Mass Uprising.
It will also organise guided tours, educational programmes and research activities to help visitors, students and researchers better understand one of the most significant democratic movements in the country’s history.
The museum will remain open only to invited guests, July fighters and family members of the martyrs on the inauguration day. It will be opened to the general public from tomorrow.
An online ticketing system has been introduced for visitors. The entry fee has been fixed at 50 taka for adults and 25 taka for children.
PM tours July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum after inauguration
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday toured the newly inaugurated July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum, viewing exhibits depicting the events leading up to the July 2024 mass uprising and what organisers described as the 16 years of "authoritarian rule" under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Former interim government Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus accompanied the Prime Minister during the visit.
Following the formal inauguration of the museum at Ganobhaban at 9:00am, Tarique Rahman toured its galleries before arriving at the discussion venue around 9:50am.
The museum displays photographs of the July uprising, personal belongings of those killed, clothing worn by the martyrs, letters, important documents, newspaper clippings and audio-visual materials documenting the movement.
It also features footage showing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina leaving the country on August 5, 2024, amid the student-led mass uprising.
The museum contains exhibits portraying enforced disappearances, state-sponsored repression, attacks on political opponents and the killings that took place during the July 2024 uprising.
Various rooms, corridors, verandas and outdoor spaces on the ground floor have been used to display materials highlighting what organisers describe as different aspects of the previous government's rule.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmood Khyom, Information Adviser to the Prime Minister Zahed Ur Rahman and the Prime Minister's daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman, were among those accompanying him during the visit.
Earlier, the Prime Minister unveiled the inaugural plaque of the museum at a ceremony held on the museum premises. A prayer was offered following the inauguration.
The inaugural programme featured recollections of the courage and sacrifices made during the July mass uprising by July fighters and members of families of those who were killed during the movement.
Although formally inaugurated on Wednesday, the museum will be opened to the general public from Thursday.
The visitors will have to obtain tickets through an online booking system. The entry fee has been fixed at Tk 50 for adults and Tk 25 for children.
The museum will operate a time slot-based entry system to manage the expected large number of visitors. Applicants will be informed in advance of their allotted visiting time through the online booking system. If all slots for a particular day are filled, visitors will have to choose another available date.
On August 5, 2024, then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left the country for India in the face of the student-led mass uprising. Her official residence, Ganobhaban, was subsequently vandalised and looted.
Three days later, on August 8, the interim government, led by Prof Muhammad Yunus, took office. During its tenure, Ganobhaban was transformed into the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum to preserve memories and artefacts related to the movement.