We ousted the dictatorship in July Uprising, now we must rebuild the state: Nahid

Highlights:

• Nahid calls for rebuilding state after July uprising
• Pays tribute to July uprising martyrs and participants
• Praises Jahangirnagar University’s role in democratic movements
• Urges students to defend democratic values and accountability
• Says state reforms remain incomplete despite public mandate

Opposition Chief Whip and National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has said the July uprising succeeded in removing an authoritarian regime, but rebuilding the state now remains the country’s collective responsibility.

“We succeeded in ousting the dictatorship during the July uprising. Now it is our responsibility to rebuild this state, Bangladesh and our universities,” he said.

Nahid made the remarks at a discussion, writing competition and prize-giving ceremony titled “July: The Legacy of the Blood Debt” at Jahangirnagar University’s Zahir Raihan Auditorium yesterday (27 July), marking the second anniversary of the July uprising.

The programme was organised by the university unit of Ganatantrik Chhatra Shakti and chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan.

Beginning his speech by paying tribute to those killed in the uprising, Nahid said Bangladesh had been freed from authoritarian rule through their sacrifice.

He also paid tribute to Jahangirnagar University students and teachers who took part in the movement and faced injuries, arrests and persecution.

“Jahangirnagar University is not a footnote in the history of Bangladesh’s anti-authoritarian student movement; it is a major chapter,” he said, adding that the university had played a significant role in every major democratic movement, from the quota reform protests to the July uprising.

Recalling the university’s history of activism, Nahid said Jahangirnagar had consistently been among the first campuses to raise its voice against anti-people and anti-democratic measures.

“There was always a subtle competition with Dhaka University over who would lead the movement and emerge as the foremost campus of resistance,” he said.

Referring to the movement in the Savar-Ashulia industrial belt, he said the unity of workers, students and ordinary people had transformed the protests into a mass uprising, with many people in the area killed or injured.

Nahid also praised the role of Jahangirnagar University’s teachers, saying their protest march during the curfew and the recitation of the poem “Ei Mrityu Upatyaka Amar Desh Noy” helped rally public support for the movement nationwide.

Addressing current students, he urged them to preserve the university’s democratic culture by standing against injustice, developing as responsible citizens and remaining committed to the country.

He also stressed the need for reforms in university governance, including the appointment of vice-chancellors and teachers, saying students must remain vigilant in ensuring accountability.

Commenting on the current political situation, Nahid said that although people had expressed support for state reforms through a referendum, the government had yet to take the expected steps to implement those reforms.

He also recalled his long association with Jahangirnagar University, saying he had worked closely with many of its students during the formation of Ganatantrik Chhatra Shakti and described the university as an important centre of intellectual and cultural activity.

Rejecting suggestions that the July uprising had failed, Nahid said, “History written in blood can never be erased. Jahangirnagar University will continue to carry the legacy of July’s blood debt, and the new generation will take that spirit forward.”