Observe July Uprising Annually to Guard Against Autocracy

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus inaugurate a month-long programme today commemorating the July Uprising.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today called on the people to commemorate the July Uprising every year as a safeguard against the reemergence of autocracy.

“We will observe this every year so that we don’t have to wait 16 years for another uprising. If dictatorship shows even the slightest sign, we will uproot it immediately,” he said while inaugurating a month-long programme at his office marking the historic uprising.

He stressed the importance of early resistance: “This is crucial—so we can detect it before it shows its first leaf.”

Reflecting on the events of last year, Prof Yunus said July marked a turning point in the country’s democratic journey, sparked by a student-led movement that inspired a mass uprising and a renewed sense of freedom.

“That July was a call for awakening—a powerful moment in our struggle to restore democracy,” he said, adding that the movement's core message was to “eliminate fascism and return the state to the people.”

He noted that although the immediate goal of the uprising had been achieved, its larger dream remained—to rebuild the state and create a new Bangladesh.

“This programme is not just a matter of emotion or anger. It is a new pledge,” he added.

Prof Yunus paid tribute to all who had joined the movement—students, workers, rickshaw pullers, and ordinary citizens—remembering their courage, sacrifice, and determination.

He urged the nation to reignite the unity that emerged in July last year, and to use the month-long commemoration to raise awareness about democratic rights and demand political accountability.

“The path ahead is difficult, but the potential is immense. History proves that no force can stand against an awakened people,” he said.

With that conviction, he called upon everyone to make this July a month of mass unity and resolve.

Throughout July and August, he said, each day would be dedicated to remembering the sacrifices made last year and recommitting to the movement’s ideals.

“And we will do this every year, so that dictatorship cannot raise its head again,” he affirmed.

Prof Yunus also unveiled the programme’s QR code and distributed scholarship cheques to three National University students.

Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki and Education Adviser CR Abrar also spoke at the event.