Speaker highlights role of July Museum in preserving resistance history

Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, on Tuesday said the July Museum will serve as a lasting source of inspiration for future generations by preserving the history of resistance against authoritarian rule.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum in Dhaka, the Speaker said the institution will safeguard the memory of people’s struggles against what he described as autocratic governance, ensuring that such history remains alive for years to come.

He noted that the museum vividly presents accounts of political repression, unrest and killings during the 16-year tenure of the former government led by Sheikh Hasina, which he referred to in strong political terms. According to him, the exhibits also highlight controversial elections and public resistance movements.

The Speaker paid tribute to individuals such as Abu Sayeed, Mugdha and Wasim, saying their sacrifices during the July-August uprising would continue to inspire national consciousness. He also referred to incidents of enforced disappearances during the previous administration.

Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal said the museum symbolises what he described as the country’s liberation from authoritarianism and pays tribute to young people who lost their lives in political movements.

During the visit, Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury toured several sections of the museum, including the “Long Walk to Democracy” corridor, which displays photographs of major political events from 1971 to 1991.

They also viewed exhibits related to the quota reform movement, anti-discrimination protests, and other incidents between 1 July and 5 August 2024, along with memorials dedicated to victims of various historical tragedies.

Emotional moments were reported as officials observed personal belongings, artworks, and preserved items belonging to martyrs of the July Uprising.

The Cultural Affairs minister said the museum is expected to open to the public by late July or early August this year. Officials from the museum, government ministries, and the parliamentary secretariat were present during the visit.