DHAKA : Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said those responsible for the killings during the anti-fascist movement will be brought to justice through transparent, impartial and credible trials conducted in accordance with the due process of law.

“The killers in the anti-fascist movement will be tried in a transparent, impartial and credible manner following the due process of law. The government believes justice for every crime is essential to ensure the rule of law,” he added.

The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing a discussion titled ‘July-36’ after inaugurating the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum at Ganabhaban in the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar this morning.

Tarique Rahman said the government has decided to name institutions after those killed or became victims of enforced disappearance and other violence over the past 17 years and during the July Mass Uprising.

“The government has decided to name an institution in the respective localities after every person who embraced martyrdom or became a victim of enforced disappearance and killing during the past 17 years and the July movement,” he said.

Speaking about the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum, the Prime Minister said the country’s democratic people expect the museum not to become a place for promoting the exclusive political narrative of any individual, group or political party.

“The 2024 mass uprising did not belong to any individual, group or political party. The true heroes of the uprising are the democratic people of Bangladesh,” he said.

Tarique Rahman said the 1971 Liberation War was fought to achieve the country’s independence, while the 2024 mass uprising was waged to safeguard the independence of the state and the freedom of its people.

“Just as the people have never forgotten the freedom fighters of 1971, they will never forget those who laid down their lives in 2024 to protect the country and the freedom of its people,” he said.

Warning against attempts to create instability in the country, the Prime Minister urged all concerned to avoid creating unnecessary controversies.

“I urge everyone to reflect on whether, by creating unnecessary issues and such situations in a fascism-free Bangladesh, they are unknowingly paving the way for the resurgence of ousted and fugitive autocratic forces,” he said.

Recalling authoritarian rule of more than one and a half decades, Tarique Rahman said the country had paid a heavy price in its struggle for democracy.

He said, “Today marks another milestone in Bangladesh’s democratic history. During more than one and a half decades of the anti-fascist movement, thousands of people became victims of enforced disappearance and abduction.

“Millions suffered repression, persecution, attacks and false cases, forcing them to remain away from their homes for years,” he said, adding, “During the July-August Mass Uprising alone, thousands of students, people from all walks of life, women and children embraced martyrdom.”

The Prime Minister said, “The fascist forces even opened fire from helicopters during the July-August Mass Uprising and killed pro-democracy people.”

Such cruelty and brutality by the fallen, defeated and ousted fascist forces are rare in the civilised world, the premier said, adding, “During the fascist regime, enforced disappearances, killings and abductions were turned into a matter of routine.”

“The brutality that persisted for more than one and a half decades can only be compared to the three-and-a-half years of misrule under the Awami League government after independence,” said the Prime Minister.

Referring to the role of the historic July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum, the Prime Minister said it would preserve the courageous legacy of the nation’s predecessors for future generations. “This museum will also unveil the true face of the ousted fascist forces to the new generation,” he said.

Tarique Rahman said, “This memorial museum is a historic initiative to permanently preserve in our national memory the struggles, sacrifices, suffering, courage and democratic aspirations of our people.

“I hope it will not remain only a memorial to the tragic events of 2024. It will also present the relationship between the July Mass Uprising and Bangladesh’s broader democratic journey,” he said.

“Not only the history of the July Mass Uprising, but also the history of every democratic movement and struggle in Bangladesh should be preserved here,” added the Prime Minister.

Stating that the ousted fascist forces had never been able to accept democratic rule, the Prime Minister said their predecessors had buried democracy by amending the Constitution in 1975.

“Later, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, the declarer of Bangladesh’s independence, restored multi-party democracy after assuming the responsibility of running the state,” he said, adding, “Future generations will certainly benefit if these chapters of history are also preserved at the museum,” he said.

The Prime Minister underscored the importance of preserving history with accuracy, saying, “Incomplete, exaggerated or motivated narratives do not strengthen history. Rather, they undermine its credibility and create grounds for future divisions.”

“Therefore, factual accuracy should be ensured in every matter. At the same time, presenting the museum’s exhibits in English and other languages alongside Bangla will help people from different linguistic backgrounds learn about Bangladesh’s democratic struggles,” he said.

Regarding the rehabilitation and treatment of the injured July fighters, Tarique Rahman said the government has been providing them with free medical treatment at public hospitals.

“At the same time, those who sustained serious injuries are being sent for advanced treatment in Thailand, Singapore, Türkiye, Russia and other countries in accordance with the prescribed procedures,” he said.

He said 50 July fighters are currently undergoing treatment abroad. “More than 13,000 gazetted July fighters are receiving monthly honorarium allowances, based on their respective categories, directly through their own bank accounts,” he added.

The Prime Minister also said the present government is sincere in extending state support to those who were killed or injured during the anti-fascist movement.

Reaffirming his government’s commitment to state reform, Tarique Rahman said in addition to providing financial support to the July fighters, the present government has begun the work of building the Bangladesh envisioned by the martyrs.

“As part of that effort, implementation of the 31-point election manifesto, as well as the July Charter signed at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad, has begun in phases with the goal of rebuilding the country,” he said.

He said the Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment, formed in parliament, had also started its work to fulfil the aspiration for the referendum.

“By rebuilding the country, we will, InShaAllha, establish a self-reliant, prosperous, secure and democratic Bangladesh—the Bangladesh envisioned by the martyrs,” he said.

At the conclusion of his speech, the Prime Minister congratulated the Bangladesh Army for standing by the people during the mass uprising and expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families of the martyrs.

“Bangladesh will never again become a subservient state,” he asserted.

The discussion was followed by a cultural programme featuring patriotic songs, recitations and performances by eminent artistes, highlighting the spirit of the July Mass Uprising, patriotism and democratic values.

The programme began with the playing of the national anthem, followed by recitations from the Holy Quran and other religious scriptures.

Former interim government Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus attended the programme as a special guest.

Family members of several July uprising martyrs, including the mothers of Shariar Khan Anas and Abdullah Bin Jahid, as well as July warrior Tabassum Prapti, shared their memories and reflections during the event.

Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan, State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmood Khyom, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Cultural Affairs Zahed Ur Rahman, and Cultural Affairs Secretary Kaniz Moula addressed the programme.

LGRD and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Prime Minister’s Office Spokesperson Mahdi Amin, the Prime Minister’s daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman, Press Secretary AAM Saleh Shibly, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon, diplomats, members of civil society, eminent citizens, families of the July martyrs, injured July warriors, and senior government officials were present at the programme.