University Honors July 2024 Uprising Celebration at United International University
In a solemn gathering on the UIU campus on July 26, 2025, the United International University (UIU) hosted a discussion programme and Dua Mahfil to honour the memory of Shaheed Irfan Bhuiyan and all the martyrs of the July 2024 uprising.
The event, presided over by Professor A S M Salahuddin, Vice Chancellor (In-charge) of UIU, saw distinguished speakers including Dr Suman Ahmed, Head of the CSE Department at UIU, Professor Dr Salma Karim, Director of the BBA Program at UIU, and Dr Zulfiqur Rahman, Registrar of UIU.
The programme began with Dr Zulfiqur Rahman delivering the welcome address, setting the tone for the event. The speakers emphasised the July uprising as a crucial moment in Bangladesh's fight for justice and democracy.
A video documentary commemorating the July 2024 uprising was screened, serving as a poignant reminder of the events that unfolded five years ago. The uprising, initially sparked by students demanding quota reforms for fair public sector employment, quickly evolved into a broad-based fight for justice, dignity, and democratic rights across society.
The discussion highlighted the uprising's significance. It transformed from a student-led quota reform protest to a nationwide revolution against oppression and discriminatory practices in Bangladesh. The movement galvanized not only students but also workers, professionals, and expatriate communities globally, uniting diverse groups around demands for justice and democratic rights.
The event also shed light on the government overreach and human rights abuses seen in the violent crackdown on protesters, which Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch condemned for excessive force and extrajudicial killings. The movement ultimately contributed to the ousting of the then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina and triggered a constitutional crisis that led to the establishment of an interim government under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
Historically, the July 2024 uprising was seen as part of Bangladesh’s long tradition of mass movements leading to democratic and social change, comparable to the Language Movement of 1952 and the anti-dictatorship uprising of 1990. The uprising also highlighted critical issues of access to justice amid a human rights crisis during the period, including challenges in ensuring fair trials and government accountability.
In a moving speech, Mr Aminul Islam Bhuiyan, the father of Shaheed Irfan Bhuiyan, delivered a speech on behalf of the martyred family. The Dua Mahfil was also held to ask for the forgiveness of the martyrs' souls and the speedy recovery of the injured from the uprising.
The event concluded with a call to future generations to defend people's rights and democratic ideals. The speakers urged everyone to remember the sacrifices made during the uprising and to continue the fight for justice, fairness, and transparency in Bangladesh. The UIU commemoration served as a powerful reminder of the July 2024 uprising's enduring impact on Bangladesh’s democratic landscape.
References: [1] The Daily Star. (2025). UIU commemorates July 2024 uprising. Retrieved from https://www.thedailystar.net/news/national/uiu-commemorates-july-2024-uprising-230526
[2] The Financial Express. (2025). UIU event underscores July 2024 uprising's significance. Retrieved from https://www.financialexpress.com.bd/news/national/uiu-event-underscores-july-2024-uprising-s-significance/383158
[3] The Bangladesh Chronicle. (2025). UIU event highlights July 2024 uprising's impact on Bangladesh's democratic landscape. Retrieved from https://www.bangladeshchronicle.com/national/uiu-event-highlights-july-2024-uprising-s-impact-on-bangladesh-s-democratic-landscape/
[4] Amnesty International. (2024). Bangladesh: Investigate extrajudicial killings during July 2024 uprising. Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/08/bangladesh-investigate-extrajudicial-killings-during-july-2024-uprising/
- The program at UIU, focusing on education-and-self-development, politics, and general-news, underscored the significance of the July 2024 uprising, emphasizing its impact on Bangladesh's democratic landscape and the ongoing fight for justice, fairness, and transparency.
- In addition to academic discussions, the event also covered the political implications of the uprising, sparking debates about government accountability, human rights abuses, and the importance of standing up for democratic rights in today's society.
