New generation must uphold July uprising legacy: Nahid

NCP Convener Nahid Islam today urged the new generation to uphold the legacy of the 2024 July Uprising and continue the struggle for state reforms, saying the movement was a pledge to establish democracy and build a discrimination-free Bangladesh.

"The July Mass Uprising was not merely the fall of a government. It was a commitment to reform the state, establish democracy and build a discrimination-free Bangladesh. The new generation must now take the lead in fulfilling that commitment," he said.

Nahid was addressing a discussion, essay competition and prize-giving ceremony titled "July: Legacy of the Blood Debt" organised by the Jahangirnagar University (JU) unit of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti at the seminar room of Zahir Raihan Auditorium this afternoon, marking the second anniversary of the July Mass Uprising.

JU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan presided over the programme.

Paying tribute to the martyrs of the July Mass Uprising, Nahid said their sacrifices had made it possible to build a fascism-free Bangladesh.

He also honoured the JU students and teachers who participated in the movement and faced injuries, arrests and repression.

Highlighting the university's role in democratic movements, he said JU had played a significant role in every major student movement, from the quota reform movement to the July Mass Uprising.

"Whenever anti-people or anti-democratic decisions have emerged, Jahangirnagar University has been at the forefront of protests," he said.

Referring to the movement in Savar and Ashulia, Nahid said the unity of workers, students and ordinary people had transformed the protests into a mass uprising in which many people embraced martyrdom or sustained injuries.

He also praised the role of JU teachers during the movement, recalling their procession during the curfew and a poem recited by JU Prof Golam Rabbani "E Mrityu Upatyaka Amar Desh Noy", which, he said, inspired people across the country.

Addressing newly admitted students, Nahid urged them to preserve the university's democratic culture by standing against injustice, understanding the state and preparing themselves as responsible and skilled citizens.

He stressed the need for reforms in university governance, saying long-standing issues relating to the appointment of vice-chancellors, recruitment of teachers and democratic structures in public universities should be resolved through greater accountability.

Claiming that the government had yet to take the expected initiatives to implement state reforms despite public support, he urged students to remain vocal in demanding meaningful reforms.

Recalling his long association with JU, Nahid said the institution had always been an important centre of intellectual and cultural activities and expressed hope that it would continue to play a leading role in promoting democratic values.

Rejecting suggestions that the July Mass Uprising had failed, he said history written with the blood of martyrs could never be erased and that JU would continue to carry forward the legacy of the movement.

The programme was jointly moderated by Jatiya Chhatra Shakti JU unit President Zia Uddin Ayaan and General Secretary Nadia Rahman Annesha.

Among others, Member of Parliament (Narayanganj-4) Abdullah Al Amin, family members of the July uprising martyrs, teachers, student leaders, students and invited guests attended the programme. 

Prizes were distributed among the winners of the essay competition at the end of the event.