Dhaka: BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia will join the BNP's special discussion meeting on the first anniversary of the July-August Uprising as the chief guest virtually. The discussion meeting will begin at 3 pm today at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center, according to Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed, convener of the July-August Uprising Commemoration Committee. Khaleda Zia will join from her Gulshan residence, and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the event virtually from London. All preparations for the event have been completed.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, this is the first event of a 36-day program to mark the first anniversary of the July-August mass uprising and victory. Leaders and professionals from various political parties have been invited to the event. The banner at the discussion meeting reads, 'Mass Uprising-2024: National Unity and Democratic Movement, Discussion Meeting and Special Program in Honor of the Families of Martyrs.'
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will speak as a special guest, and Ruhul Kabir Rizvi will preside over the meeting. Party sources indicate that families and relatives of leaders and activists who were killed and disappeared during the 2024 mass movement and anti-government movement will participate in the event and deliver commemorative speeches. National-level leaders of BNP will also speak at the event.
Attendees have arrived at the venue, where the banner features martyrs including Abu Sayeed, who was shot dead by police during the uprising, along with graffiti of students and the public holding banners with messages like 'One point, one demand' and 'Let's end autocracy.'
BNP has announced a 36-day program to mark the anniversary of the July-August uprising. The program includes victory processions, silent processions, student rallies, discussion meetings, seminars, blood donations, graffiti drawing, street plays, football tournaments, programs on child rights, and public awareness activities to prevent dengue and corona, among at least 22 different events.
The BNP's program for July-August started with the lighting of candles by the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at Central Shaheed Minar at 12:01 am on Tuesday.