July Uprising Was an Expression of Long-Simmering Public Anger: Ruhul Kabir Rizvi

BNP Standing Committee member and political adviser to the prime minister, Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed, has said the historic July Uprising was the result of long-standing public anger stemming from what he described as the Sheikh Hasina government’s misrule, enforced disappearances, killings and repression.

Speaking at a discussion titled “The Spirit of July and Bangladesh’s Future” at the Senate Building of National University in Gazipur on Sunday (August 16), Rizvi said the country must learn from the July experience and institutionalize multiparty democracy in a way that prevents authoritarianism from returning in any form.

He alleged that Sheikh Hasina had severely disregarded Bangladesh’s sovereignty and the interests of its people in an effort to remain in power. He also said there would be no opportunity for her to return to the country, while warning that authoritarian politics could re-emerge in a different form if political unity and democratic practices are not strengthened.

Rizvi called for the establishment of a democratic, accountable and humane state. He urged political leaders and citizens to work together with honesty, commitment and patriotism to prevent a recurrence of the authoritarian practices of the past.

Speaking about the education sector, Rizvi praised National University for its efforts to rebuild what he described as a weakened education system following the mass uprising.

He described the university administration’s employment-oriented and timely initiatives as significant reforms and stressed the importance of ensuring that their benefits reach students and communities at the grassroots level.

The discussion was chaired by National University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A.S.M. Amanullah. Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Md. Lutfur Rahman delivered the welcome address.

Among others, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Treasurer Professor Dr. Md. Nazmul Hossain also spoke at the event.