Female students at Dhaka University's Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall gathered on Friday evening to honor the martyrs of the July mass uprising, preserve the memory of the movement, and demand justice for those killed. The event, titled "July's Maitree Hall: Candlelight Vigil and Patriotic Songs," was organized by the hall's student parliament.
Participants held a minute of silence to pay their respects to the fallen, followed by a candlelight vigil, the singing of patriotic songs, and the chanting of protest slogans. Attendees described the July movement as more than just a memory; they characterized it as a symbol of collective resistance against injustice, discrimination, and autocracy. They pledged to maintain the spirit of the movement until justice is served.
Organizers noted that the memorial was held in response to the July 15, 2024, attack on female students by the then-ruling party's student wing, the Chhatra League. Students recounted the brutality of that day, which was followed on July 16 by the police shooting of student protester Abu Sayed in Rangpur. During that period, students were also forcibly evicted from residential halls at Dhaka University and other public institutions across the country. By holding the vigil a year later, current and former student protesters sought to commemorate the historical night of resistance. The hall premises were filled with the light of candles, patriotic music, and protest slogans.
Rafia Rehnuma Hridi, Vice President (VP) of the Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall parliament and a central coordinator of the July uprising, emphasized the collective responsibility to keep the memory of the sacrifices alive. She stated that voices must remain vocal and the memory of the July movement upheld until justice for the killings is ensured.
Nishita Zaman Niha, General Secretary (GS) of the hall parliament and a former central coordinator, described the July movement as an unforgettable chapter in history. She remarked that the uprising serves as a unique example of unified resistance against autocratic rule, discrimination, and all forms of injustice, noting that such events will ensure the movement's legacy of courage and justice continues to inspire future years.
Tanzina Tammim Hapsa, Assistant General Secretary (AGS) of the hall and a former central coordinator, expressed criticism regarding the university administration's failure to observe July 14 as "July Women's Day," an observance previously held at the university. She called the absence of such recognition an insult to the long-standing history of fearless roles played by women at Dhaka University against injustice. She added that the current program aimed to pass on the legacy of the July movement to the next generation, warning that those who attempt to erase or deny the role of women in Dhaka University's struggles will be discarded by history.
Participants emphasized that it is their moral duty to preserve the memory of the July history, particularly the role of female students, and to ensure the sacrifices of the martyrs are passed on to future generations.
