DU Correspondent  

On the occasion of the anniversary of the July Uprising, a seminar titled ‘One year from rebellion to reconstruction: July Uprising, democratic possibilities and our responsibilities’ was held on Thursday at the Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium under the initiative of Dhaka University. 

Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Prof Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan was present as the chief guest at the seminar. As part of embodying and celebrating the spirit of the historic July revolution, this was the first seminar in a month-long seminar series.

Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Prof Dr. Mamun Ahmed presided over the seminar while Pro-Vice Chancellor (Admin) Prof Dr. Saima Haque Bidisha and Treasurer Prof Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury spoke as special guests. Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Prof Dr. Taiyebur Rahman delivered the welcome speech. Prof Dr. Kazi Maruful Islam of the Department of Development Studies presented the keynote paper. The event was conducted by Professor Robayet Ferdous of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan, paying tribute to the memory of those who sacrificed themselves in the July mass movement, said that students, people from different classes and professions of this country risked their lives to take part in this movement, and many were killed and injured. At that time we did not know whether the fascist government would fall. All institutions need to come together to discuss democratic transformation at the academic level. In this regard, Dhaka University has to play a leading role. We want to move forward in unity with society and all kinds of educational institutions.

In the keynote paper, Prof Dr. Kazi Maruful Islam said that in July 2024, nearly one and a half decades of fascist rule came to an end. This is not only the anniversary of the fall of a government, but also the anniversary of the reawakening of a nation’s democratic spirit. In the history of Bangladesh, the people have repeatedly proved their courage, unity and democratic aspirations. The great liberation war, the mass uprising of the nineties and the July movement of 2024 are part of this historical continuity.

He said that the July Uprising in Bangladesh was an inevitable political explosion. The past fascist rule was an example of a centralized authoritarian regime. The July 2024 movement will remain a unique example of social and political uprising in the history of Bangladesh. Youth leadership was the main driving force of this movement. 

Emphasizing building political unity to fulfill public aspirations, removing institutional weaknesses, ensuring economic justice and policy reforms, rebuilding citizen trust, and ensuring the freedom of media and civil society, he said that Dhaka University must play a pioneering role in this regard.