Special Correspondent: Today’s 30 July 2026 Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that whenever people have demanded change in the history of Bangladesh, they have had to sacrifice their lives. From the Language Movement, the Great Liberation War to the recent July Uprising—there is a sacrifice of people behind every change. Therefore, to protect the dignity of the blood of martyrs, real change must be ensured in the state and society.
He said these things while speaking as the chief guest at the publication unveiling, photography exhibition and discussion meeting on the occasion of July Martyrs’ Day organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at the Information Bhaban auditorium in the capital on Thursday (July 30).
State Minister for Information Yaser Khan Chowdhury and PSC member Dr. Chowdhury Saima Ferdous were present as special guests at the event chaired by Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan.
At the beginning of the program, the guests unveiled the covers of publications published on the occasion of July Martyrs’ Day and toured a photography exhibition.
The Local Government Minister said, change is an ongoing and inevitable process. But in the reality of Bangladesh, people have to sacrifice their lives for every positive change. If after more than five decades of independence, the youth have to sacrifice their blood again to demand change, it is a matter of self-criticism for us.
He said, the July Uprising has proven that the youth of the country are the biggest force for change. By remembering their sacrifice, we must build a democratic, non-discriminatory, just and corruption-free Bangladesh. Not only the government needs to change, but also positive changes need to be brought about in the thinking and consciousness of the people, administrative culture and state governance.
Highlighting his own experience, the Local Government Minister said, even after assuming office, he has seen old mindsets and change-averse tendencies in various fields. To meet the expectations of the people, the administration must be more people-oriented, transparent and accountable.
He further said that the sacrifice of the martyrs will be meaningful only when every person in the country works with honesty, responsibility and patriotism from their respective positions. The spirit of July can be implemented not through revenge, but through national unity, good governance and mutual cooperation.
In his speech as the chairman, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said that everyone should be careful that no one can gain personal or political benefits by focusing on the spirit and achievements of the July Uprising.
He said that just as the spirit of the Liberation War should not be turned into a profitable project for any individual or group, the spirit of the July Uprising cannot be used for any narrow political or personal interests.
The Information Minister said that whenever injustice and exploitation increased in society, the people, inspired by the spirit of freedom, stood up against it. The July Uprising of 2024 is the latest manifestation of that continuity.
Referring to the role of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in the movement to establish democracy, the Information Minister said that Begum Khaleda Zia had to face various types of torture and humiliation. But her departure with the love of the people will be memorable in the political history of Bangladesh.
He called for upholding the spirit of July for future generations as the spirit of establishing national unity, democracy and people’s rights.
Information and Broadcasting Secretary (Routine Responsibilities) Md. Shah Alam delivered the welcome speech at the event. Among others, the speakers included Press Council Chairman Justice AKM Abdul Hakim, Press Club President Hasan Hafiz, BFUJ Secretary General Quader Gani Chowdhury, Pratidin Bangladesh Editor Maruf Kamal Khan and July Shaheed Mughda’s brother Mir Snigdha.
Views: 0
