DU students hold candlelit vigil to commemorate July uprising martyrs

Female students of the Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall at Dhaka University held an emotional commemoration ceremony on Friday to honour the martyrs of the July uprising. 

Organised by the hall union, the event featured candle lighting, patriotic songs and protest slogans to preserve the memory of the movement and demand justice.

Participants gathered on the hall premises, declaring that July represents more than just a mass movement. They described it as a symbol of united resistance against injustice, discrimination and tyranny. 

The students pledged to maintain the spirit of the struggle until justice prevails.

Organisers said that the ceremony was organised in response to the attack by the now-banned Chhatra League on protesting female students on 15 July 2024. 

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Recalling the events of the following days, when student Abu Sayed was killed in police firing in Rangpur and students were forcibly evicted from public university halls, the organisers emphasised the necessity of remembering that historic period of resistance.

Rafia Rehnuma Hridi, vice-president of the Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall union and central coordinator of the July Mass Uprising, said, "It is our responsibility to keep the July sacrifice of thousands of people forever immortal. Until the justice for the July massacre is confirmed, we must keep our voices loud, and the memory of July must be upheld. This is the deposit of the lives of the martyrs for us."

Nishita Zaman Niha, general secretary of the hall union and former central coordinator of the July Mass Uprising, added, "July is an unforgettable chapter in our history. It is not just a movement, but a unique example of people’s united resistance against authoritarian rule, discrimination and all kinds of injustice. Through such events, July will return every year as a symbol of our courage, sacrifice and justice."

Tanzina Tammim Hapsa, joint general secretary of the hall union and former central coordinator, criticised the university administration for failing to observe 14 July as “July Women's Day”.

She said, "Although 14 July is celebrated as 'July Women's Day' at Dhaka University, the university administration was not seen observing it this time. This is tantamount to denying and insulting the fearless role and history of the struggle by DU female students against long-standing injustices."

The event concluded with a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs.

Students reiterated their moral responsibility to inform future generations about the role of women in the uprising and to ensure that the sacrifices made are never forgotten.