Sacrifices of madrasa students in July movement must be recognized with state honor

Mohammad Nahid Islam, Convener of the National Citizens' Party (NCP) and Opposition Chief Whip, has demanded recognition for the contributions of madrasa students in the July movement and the anti-fascist struggles.

He said, "When the movement stalled on the 17th and 18th, two forces revived it: madrasa students and private university students. Throughout the ages, our revered scholars (ulama) have given their lives and made sacrifices for the rights of the people of this land. Over the past few decades, the jubbas (traditional cloaks) of madrasa students have been stained with blood. Not just in Bangladesh, but across the world, this jubba has become a symbol of rebellion and resistance. We demand that the government accord state recognition to the sacrifices of madrasa students."

He made these remarks today (Monday) at a seminar titled "July's Blood-Stained Jubba: The Contribution of Madrasa Students," held at the BMA Building auditorium in the capital.

The Opposition Chief Whip also criticized the Home Minister's remarks. He said, "The Home Minister has said that no one can do business with July. He says that talking about the aspirations of July is 'selling the July spirit.' But no one is selling July. For the past 50 years, the Awami League, speaking of the spirit of the Liberation War, has carried out the murder of democracy in this country. They have practiced politics of abduction and killing. They have looted the nation's money. We hear the most about that 'spirit' from the BNP."

Nahid Islam further stated, "In July, our aspiration – and our promise to the people – was a new Bangladesh, a non-discriminatory Bangladesh, and institutional reforms. They call this talk of reforms the 'July spirit.' But the people know that the BNP has benefited the most from the outcome of July. Tareq Rahman has returned to the country from London. The Home Minister has returned from Shillong. The BNP has received irresponsible power. We received powerless responsibility. If the Constitutional Reform Ordinance is illegal, then why is no action being taken against the President for issuing it? Why is no action being taken against the person who administered the oath to the Election Commissioners?"

Demanding immediate implementation of reforms, he said, "The election was not held according to the constitution. After a revolution, elections and referendums have been held through aspirations and decrees. Nowhere in the constitution was there a provision for an election in 2024; there was supposed to be one in 2029. Therefore, the government must understand that the post-August 5 situation cannot be understood through the constitution alone. It must be interpreted through the aspirations of the people in the July Revolution. That aspiration was for a fundamental change in the state structure and the building of a new Bangladesh."

"The Home Minister and the government should step away from the farce they are conducting under the name of the Constitution Reform Commission and implement the verdict of a referendum. Otherwise, we will be compelled to take to the streets, together with the ulama and all the forces of July. We are already in the midst of a movement, but we want to resolve the issues through parliamentary debate."

The chief discussant at the seminar was Maulana Mamunul Haq, Emir of Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis. Special guests included political thinker Farhad Mazhar, thinker Musa Al Hafiz, NCP Joint Member Secretary and Member of Parliament Abdullah Al Amin, and top leaders of various Islamic organizations.
This response is AI-generated, for reference only.