BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and Political Adviser to Prime Minister Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said the July Uprising is in no way less than the French Revolution.
The French Revolution was a struggle to establish human rights and civil liberties. And in the July Revolution too, the youth shed blood to establish democracy, civil liberties and freedom of speech, he said.
Ruhul Kabir Rizvi made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion titled 'Bloody July: Remembrance and Conviction' at the Kazi Nazrul Islam Auditorium of Rajshahi University (RU) on Sunday afternoon.
Rizvi said history says that blood is shed in every revolution. But the scale of bloodshed during the one-month July Revolution is rare in the history of many revolutions around the world. Bodies of young people were seen lying in villages and cities across the country. School, college and university students became victims of state repression.
Rizvi said the movement also demonstrated remarkable humanity. When one friend was shot, another friend rushed to save him. When someone was injured, fellow protesters came forward with water. Although similar scenes have been witnessed in revolutions elsewhere, Bangladeshis experienced them firsthand during the July Revolution.
He said law enforcement agencies opened indiscriminate fire from all directions, but failed to suppress the movement. Ignoring death, students continued marching on the streets.
Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Faridul Islam presented the keynote speech.
Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir spoke as the main discussant.
Rajshahi University Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Dr Abdul Alim and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Prof Dr Mamunur Rashid Mamun addressed the programme as special guests.
RU unit Chhatra Dal President Sultan Ahmed Rahi chaired the discussion, while General Secretary Sardar Zahurul Islam conducted the programme.