NCP walks out of July Uprising event, accuses documentary of ‘distorting history’

Leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) walked out of a state-organized July uprising event in Dhaka on Wednesday, accusing a documentary screened at the program of “distorting history.”

The party said the documentary omitted key elements of the uprising, including the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and its nine-point and one-point demands.

The walkout came after NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain delivered his speech at the reception and discussion for families of July martyrs and July fighters.

NCP Senior Joint Conveners Ariful Islam Adib and Munira Sharmin were among several party leaders who left the venue with him.

The event was held at the China Friendship Conference Center in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, attended as the chief guest.

Speaking to Amar Desh newspaper, Adib said the documentary screened at the start of the program presented a distorted account of the July uprising.

He said it made no mention of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement banner under which the July protests were organized.

It also omitted the nine-point and one-point demands, he said. “No information regarding these was presented,” Adib said.

He said the boycott was also a protest against attacks on NCP leaders and activists during state programs held across the country to mark July Mass Uprising Day.

Tension had erupted at the venue shortly after the documentary was screened. Some injured July fighters and members of martyrs’ families began chanting “Fake, fake” in protest.

The commotion prompted organizers to repeatedly appeal from the stage for the audience to remain calm.

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