There will be no negligence,” he asserted. “I strongly believe that the trial of this brutal killing will be completed during the tenure of our government.”
He made these remarks on Monday at 4 PM while inaugurating the July Martyrs Memorial in the Hajiganj area of Narayanganj.
Addressing the families of the martyrs, Dr. Nazrul said:
“You always carry a silent plea in your hearts—a cry—how such a terrible massacre and crime against humanity occurred, how your people were murdered so brutally, their eyes gouged out, their limbs mutilated... Where is the justice for these horrific, grotesque, and cruel killings? I want to tell you with a firm voice: justice will be served.”
He added, “When the month of July comes, we remember what happened last year. Through the movement that began in July, the people of Bangladesh overthrew a long-standing authoritarian and fascist regime in not 36, but merely 15 days.”
Regarding ongoing legal proceedings, Dr. Nazrul stated:
“I have inquired about the cases in Narayanganj. The Superintendent of Police informed me that significant progress has been made in investigations. I requested that charge sheets be filed before August 5. He assured me that many of them will be submitted. Once the charge sheets are filed, the judicial process will commence. If needed, we will ensure expedited trials under the Speedy Trial Act.”
He continued, “Our sacrifices, our pain, our rage, and our courage united us like a family. The people of Bangladesh, excluding the fascists, became one family with a dream of a new nation—free from exploitation and inequality. We want to build a country where true democracy exists and no ruler becomes a tyrant.”
Commenting on current issues, he said, “Various incidents of lawlessness and extortion are taking place at the local level. But just as you defeated a mighty fascist force in July with unity, you can surely resist extortionists too. The government will stand with you, and the administration will support your resistance.”
Also speaking at the event, Advisor to the Ministries of Industry and Housing & Public Works, Adilur Rahman Khan, said:
“Construction of July Martyrs Memorials is underway in several districts. The Ganabhaban (Prime Minister’s official residence) is being converted into an anti-fascist museum, which will be inaugurated before August 5. It was a symbol of dictatorship—we want to preserve it and show how fascism oppressed the people.”
He added, “We are also working to preserve the graves of all martyrs. But we cannot complete the journey of resistance alone—we pass the torch to you. You are the children of fire, who took to the streets with flames in hand. You must carry this movement forward, so that no imperialist or fascist force dares to threaten this nation again.”
He further said, “This was a 15-year-long struggle against capitalist rule. Many people disappeared, were tortured or killed extrajudicially. Mirror rooms were built to torment the brave. At one point, the youth and students of Bangladesh rose up against this injustice, and even the ‘daughters of fire’ joined the streets.”
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministries of Environment, Forests & Climate Change and Water Resources, remarked:
“Our students and people freed the country from tyranny and inequality. Through their sacrifice, we gained a free nation. This month of July reminds us of that. In Narayanganj alone, 56 people were martyred—21 of them were sons of this very district. A memorial has now been erected in their honor.”
She added, “The martyrs sacrificed their lives for a just cause—to build an equal society. One way to honor them is to ensure justice for their deaths. The government or any of its forces should never again be allowed to open fire on its own citizens. We will ensure not only justice for those who were killed but also for those who were blinded and crippled. All those who attacked peaceful protesters must face justice.”
“The movement also had another goal—establishing democracy. That cannot be done by one group alone. Everyone must step forward from their own positions. In the past, we had to fight for democracy too. If the youth and people had not stood in front of bullets in July, there would have been no August 5, and we wouldn’t be able to speak freely today.”
The event was attended by family members of the martyrs, Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner Zahidul Islam Miah, Police Superintendent Pratyush Kumar Majumder, and many other notable local figures
