Chhatra Shibir announces 36-day program marking July Uprising anniversary

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir announced a 36-day nationwide program titled "Odamya July" to mark the second anniversary of the 2024 July Uprising,  demanding the speedy trial of the July Genocide and full implementation of the "July National Charter."

Chhatra Shibir central president Nurul Islam Saddam announced the programs during a press conference at the Madhur Canteen of Dhaka University on Monday afternoon. 

The central secretary general of the organization, Sibgatullah, moderated the event, which was attended by central leaders including central office secretary Azizur Rahman Azad, media secretary Mu'tasim Billah Shahedi, publication secretary Amirul Islam, and publicity secretary SM Farhad.

During the press conference, Nurul Islam Saddam paid tribute to the martyrs and injured of the 2024 July-August movement, specifically naming martyrs Abu Sayeed, Ali Raihan, Mugdho, Wasim, Shanto, and Sharif Osman Hadi. He urged the government to fast-track the judicial process regarding the July Uprising killings.

Saddam strongly criticized the current government, alleging that it has failed to implement the "July National Charter" and the mandate of the referendum, both of which political parties achieved through consensus. 

He claimed that associates of the former fascist regime are being reinstated within the administration, and that efforts to establish an independent judiciary have faced obstruction.

Expressing deep concern over the national law and order situation, the Chhatra Shibir president cited statistics claiming that 915 murders and 209 rapes occurred across the country during the first 100 days of the current government.

Turning to the situation in educational institutions, Saddam stated that creating terror-free campuses was a core aspiration of the July Uprising. However, he alleged that Chhatra Dal activists are currently instigating violence across various universities, colleges, and polytechnic institutes, targeting general students as well as Chhatra Shibir members.

Responding to journalists, Saddam expressed disappointment over the lack of government action following recent attacks on Chhatra Shibir members. "Our brothers have been injured, some have had their legs amputated. But no redress has been given, no cases have been filed.

"Instead, we are being threatened and intimidated," he said. 

He further alleged that an atmosphere of fear has been created at Titumir College, Bangla College, Siddheshwari College, and Shahidullah Hall of Dhaka University, adding that "leftist student organisations and Chhatra Dal leaders and activists rehearsed violence at night."

The announced 36-day schedule features nationwide protest marches, rallies, seminars, research conferences, and prayer meetings. The organization will also launch a documentary competition, publication initiatives for stories and research articles, and a children's art exhibition titled "July Awakening through the Eyes of Children."

Additionally, the itinerary includes a photography exhibition, cultural events, debate competitions, sports tournaments, and the establishment of libraries named after the martyrs. The student body will also conduct grave visits, paint graffiti, host a podcast series titled 'Red July' featuring interviews with the families of the victims, and run a 36-day online campaign titled 'Echoes of July'.