July Shaheed Dibosh (July Martyrs' Day) was observed across the country today with due respect and solemnity through various programmes.
The day commemorates Abu Sayed, the first martyr of the 2024 student-led quota reform movement, and all others who lost their lives during the July Uprising.
Marking the day, the national flag was kept at half-mast at all government, semi-government and autonomous buildings, educational institutions and Bangladesh missions abroad.
Religious institutions across the country held special prayers and supplications seeking salvation and forgiveness for the martyrs.
On the occasion, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued separate messages.
The President paid deep tribute to all martyrs of the 2024 July Mass Uprising and called for collective efforts to build the discrimination-free and equitable Bangladesh envisioned by the martyrs.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman recalled the contributions of those who embraced martyrdom and the wounded in the July movement, which turned into a mass uprising to free the nation from the fascist regime.
He said July 16 is being observed as the historic July Martyrs' Day with profound respect, mourning and gratitude, along with a renewed commitment to institutionalising democracy in every sphere of the nation.
He mentioned that at least six people were martyred on July 16, 2024, during the anti-fascist movement, including Abu Sayed, an English Department student of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, and Mohammad Wasim Akram, a college student in Chattogram.
The Prime Minister said Abu Sayed's standing before police with his arms outstretched and the image of police firing at him stirred intense outrage among people aspiring for democracy.
Meanwhile, the day was observed nationwide through floral tributes at July memorials, discussions, prayers and special programmes organised by district administrations, government and non-government institutions, political, social and cultural organisations and educational institutions.
Districts including Feni, Gopalganj, Natore, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Habiganj, Sylhet, Kishoreganj, Kushtia, Gaibandha, Chuadanga, Joypurhat, Lakshmipur, Sunamganj, Lalmonirhat, Shariatpur, Rangamati, Cumilla, Bhola, Bandarban, Barishal, Patuakhali, Noakhali and Naogaon paid tribute to the martyrs.
Deputy commissioners, police superintendents, government officials, political leaders, members of martyrs' families and July fighters placed wreaths at memorials and paid homage to those who sacrificed their lives.
At discussion meetings, speakers recalled the courage, sacrifice and struggle of the martyrs of the 2024 July movement for establishing democratic rights. They said the sacrifices of the July martyrs would remain an important chapter in the country's history.
The speakers called upon all to work together to build a discrimination-free, just and democratic Bangladesh by upholding the ideals of the July movement. They also stressed ensuring rehabilitation of injured July fighters, support for martyrs' families and presenting the history and significance of the movement to the new generation.
Special prayers were also held at mosques and other religious institutions across the country seeking eternal peace for the souls of the martyrs.
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) announced comprehensive security measures across Bangladesh to ensure peaceful observance of July Martyrs' Day.
RAB intensified intelligence activities, deployed plainclothes personnel along key routes, increased patrols and set up additional checkpoints at strategic locations.
Security was also strengthened at programme venues and July memorial sites.
July 16, 2024, is widely regarded as the turning point that transformed the student-led quota reform movement into a nationwide mass uprising.
On this day, Abu Sayed, a 23-year-old student of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, was shot dead by police.
Video footage showing him standing unarmed with his arms outstretched in defiance became a defining symbol of resistance.
Alongside Abu Sayed, at least five other demonstrators were killed in Dhaka, Chattogram and Rangpur on July 16.
The violence triggered widespread public outrage, drawing citizens, families and workers to the streets in support of the students.
The momentum later led to the "36 Days of July" movement, resulting in the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024.
On July 2, 2025, the Cabinet Division issued an official gazette notification declaring July 16 as "July Martyrs' Day".
MSH
