A "Shahidi Sammelan" (Martyrs' Gathering) was held in the capital on Friday, 25th April 2025, demanding the trial of the incidents in July, Pilkhana, and Shapla Square, and the banning of the Awami League for its role in the genocide.
The event took place at 3:15 pm in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh, organised under the banner of Inquilab Mancha.
Speakers at the event emphasised that the Awami League should be banned through an executive order, followed by a permanent ban through a judicial process.
During his speech, a man who lost his eye during the July uprising said, "As a July warrior who lost an eye, I want to make it clear that the Awami League cannot be rehabilitated in this country. Those who wish to rehabilitate them will have no place here."
He added, "Those who want to govern the country according to the will of Delhi or Pakistan should move to India or Pakistan. We, the true Bangladeshis, will build a new nation."
The injured speaker also called for the rehabilitation of martyrs and wounded families.
The mother of martyr Saim spoke emotionally, saying, "What crime did my son commit that he was shot dead on July 19 at Jatrabari? As the mother of a martyr, I say the Awami League should be permanently banned from politics in this country."
Dhaka University student leader AB Jobair said, "Our expectations have not been met yet. Some people have become rich, but we are still fighting. No one can sell our hopes."
He further stated, "We demand that the Awami League be banned by executive order. Additionally, we need a referendum to permanently expel them from politics. The events of Shapla Square, the Pilkhana massacre, and other incidents must be prosecuted, and the July Declaration must be published."
Sheikh Mahbubur Rahman, Secretary of the Islamic Student Movement, said, "We see attempts to rehabilitate the Awami League. Before they are rehabilitated, the noose will be around our necks."
He added, "We need to organise rallies and gatherings to demand the banning of the Awami League. This is not what we expected after 24 years."
The gathering featured speeches from several leaders, including Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson for the Inquilab Mancha, Abdullah Al Mahfuz Zakaria, founder of the PUSAB student organization, Abdul Wahid of the Revolutionary Student Council, as well as family members of martyrs like Sajal and Saim, and other injured or martyr families from the July movement.
At the event, four key demands were presented:
- The visible trial of the July genocide must begin within 100 days, and the Awami League should be constitutionally banned through executive orders, court rulings, and political agreements.
- The Shapla Square incident should be officially recognised, and an investigation commission should be formed with the assistance of the UN to list the martyrs and begin the trial process.
- The complete report from the Pilkhana massacre commission should be made public, and its recommendations must be implemented.
- All political parties should include clear provisions in their election manifestos regarding the prosecution of the Awami League for its alleged genocide.
According to Inquilab Mancha sources, they plan to conduct public outreach in all 64 districts of the country over the next 100 days. If their demands are not met, they will announce a "March for Bangladesh" campaign, beginning with a siege of the Secretariat from Shahbagh on August 5.
