The “36 July Celebration” has begun at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka, marking the first anniversary of the July Uprising that led to the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. People from all walks of life have been gathering from various parts of the capital to participate in the day-long event.

The day will feature a series of events, including rallies, concerts, and prayer sessions, culminating in the presentation of the July Declaration.

The programme officially started at around 12:30pm today (5 August) with performances by musical groups Saimum and Kolorob Shilpigoshthi. Organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the main event will be the reading of the historic July Declaration.

Interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to read the declaration at 5pm at the South Plaza of the National Parliament. The event is being broadcast live by Bangladesh Television (BTV).

Ahead of the programme, participants were seen chanting various slogans, demanding a swift trial for those responsible for crimes against humanity during the July Uprising. They also called for the annulment of the current constitution and chanted that they do not want a rushed election without visible justice and reform.

In a press briefing at the venue at 11:30am, Director General of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) AKM Shahidur Rahman said, “We have provided our support to successfully conclude every event celebrating the July Uprising anniversary, and we believe today’s event will also end beautifully.

“We do not believe there are any security risks. Nonetheless, RAB is fully prepared to handle any situation. Security measures have been put in place by RAB for this event and across Dhaka city.”

‘Where tyranny will never rise’

The day’s events will centre on the reading of the July Declaration, which has been widely publicised as a roadmap for democratic reforms. This document aims to formalise the nation’s political journey, which began with the uprising sparked by public grievances over economic issues and repression and has since transitioned to governance by an interim government under the leadership of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, reports Reuters.

“Together, we will build a Bangladesh where tyranny will never rise again,” Yunus said in a message to the nation a year after protests forced Hasina to flee to neighbouring India, as he paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives.

A peaceful, fair, and transparent election could be held early next year, Yunus said, pledging a return to full democratic rule at a time of mounting pressure for a swifter transition amid growing labour unrest.

The interim government had launched sweeping reforms, he added, while trials for those responsible for the “July killings” were progressing swiftly.

Police were on high alert throughout the capital, with armoured vehicles patrolling the streets to deter any attempt by Hasina’s banned Awami League to disrupt the day’s events.

“Fallen autocrats and their self-serving allies remain active,” however, he added, urging unity to protect the gains of the uprising while his government holds reform talks with political parties and civil society.

On 3 August, a Facebook post from the chief adviser’s verified page described how the entire nation came together through the blood of many martyrs and the dedication of countless fighters, creating a surge of emotion and national pride.

An injured child taking part in the proceedings of 36 July Celebration at Manik Mia Avenue on Tuesday. Photo: Focus Bangla

An event, titled the “36 July Celebration,” is designed to honour the legacy of the movement that led to the toppling of the Awami League government. The event is an open invitation for all citizens to come and partake in this significant moment in the country’s history.

The entire programme is set to be a full day of diverse cultural and commemorative events.

The July Declaration, to be announced later in the day by Muhammad Yunus, will formally recognise the 2024 student-led uprising and the shift away from authoritarian rule to democratic renewal.

Despite some opposition, it is backed by major political groups, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Supporters see the charter as a foundation for institutional reform, but critics have warned its impact could be largely symbolic in the absence of a legal framework or parliamentary consensus.

Day’s events

The morning session at Manik Mia Avenue is scheduled to feature acts such as “Tong er gaan,” followed by presentations from Saimum Shilpigoshthi at 11:20am and Kolorob Shilpigoshthi at 11:40am. Solo deliveries by Nahid and Tashfee will lead up to the Duhr Prayer break at 1:00pm.

The afternoon will continue with a mix of musical performances and commemorative events.

At 1:10pm, the stage will host the Chittagong Hip-Hop Hood, followed by a performance from Sezan at 1:30pm. The band Shunno will take the stage at 2pm, and a special segment celebrating the “Fascist’s Flight” is scheduled for 2:25pm.

The musical lineup will continue with Shayan at 2:40pm and the duo of Ethun Babu and Moushumi at 3pm.

The rock bands Souls and Warfaze will perform at 3:30pm and 4pm, respectively, leading into the Asr Prayer break at 4:45pm.

The historic reading

The pinnacle of the day’s events will take place at 5pm with the Reading of the Historic July Declaration.

This is the moment when the public will hear the full details of the document that is set to shape the nation’s future. Following the reading, musical performances will resume, featuring the Basic Guitar Learning School, F Minor, and Parsha, before the Maghrib Prayer break at 6:50pm.

The evening will conclude with a grand finale of performances and a special show.

Elita Karim will perform at 7pm, and a unique drone drama titled “Do You Miss Me?” will be showcased from 7:30pm to 8pm. The celebration will draw to a close with a concert by the iconic band Artcell at 8pm.

Meanwhile, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) issued a traffic advisory for city residents yesterday (August 4) ahead of ‘July Uprising Day’.

BNP will hold victory rallies in all Upazilas and areas under local police stations today and in all districts and metropolitan cities across the country on Wednesday, marking the first anniversary of the fall of fascism and the victory of students and the masses in the July Uprising.

Earlier on 26 June, the BNP announced a 36-day-long programme titled ‘July-August Uprising: Mourning and Victory Observance’ to mark the first anniversary of the July-August mass uprising, which led to the ousting of autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina from power.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus issued separate messages ahead of the day.

Yesterday, the president said the fascist roots must be uprooted and the spirit of July be fully realised to build a happy and prosperous Bangladesh.

“The July Uprising was an outburst of the youth and the masses against longstanding deprivation, misrule, corruption, looting, enforced disappearances, killings, abductions, the denial of voting rights and all forms of oppression and tyranny,” said President Mohammed Shahabuddin in a message marking the July Uprising Day.