Dhaka: Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md. Mahfuj Alam emphasized the importance of embracing the spirit of the July mass uprising in building a democratic state that safeguards the civil rights of all citizens. He made this call during the premiere of the documentary 'Shraban Bidroho', which focuses on the July Uprising, held at the Bangladesh National Museum's main auditorium in Shahbagh this evening.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the event also featured speeches from Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul, Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, and Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki. The gathering was chaired by Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farzana, with the presence of Mahbub Morshed, Managing Director and Chief Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).
Mahfuj Alam highlighted the exhibition of the documentary as an initiative to keep the memory of the martyrs of the July Uprising alive in the public consciousness. He stressed the necessity of remembering their contributions to remind the current generation of their responsibilities towards the country's welfare.
During the event, Prof. Asif Nazrul asserted that the memory of July would persist. He mentioned that the trials for those involved in the July massacre would be concluded before the upcoming national elections. Adilur Rahman Khan warned against the resurgence of fascist forces, urging everyone to resist such conspiracies. He called for a collective voice against the return of fascism.
Mostofa Sarwar Farooki emphasized the importance of political consensus to prevent the return of fascism. He urged unity and collective efforts to fulfill the goals for which the martyrs sacrificed their lives during the July Uprising.
The event also saw emotional appeals from Shaheed Abu Sayeed's father, Maqbul Hossain, and martyred journalist Tahir Zaman Priyo's mother, Shamsi Ara Zaman, who called for a swift trial of those responsible for the killings during the uprising. The premiere was attended by relatives of the martyrs and injured, students, university teachers, government officials, and people from various professions.
The documentary 'Shraban Bidhroho', produced by the Directorate of Film and Publications under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, delves into the background of the movement, the chronology of events during the July Uprising, and the transformation in the consciousness of students and the general populace against the fascist regime. It features memoirs of the martyrs' relatives, student leaders, and prominent societal figures, along with images of torture during the movement.
With rare videos, photographs, and graffiti, the 30-minute documentary vividly depicts the brutality of law enforcement and the repression under the dictator, using both direct visualization and animation. 'Shraban Bidroho' stands as a testament to a successful mass uprising, intended to educate future generations on this pivotal chapter in the nation's history.