Reaffirming the armed forces’ firm commitment to building a non-discriminatory and self-reliant Bangladesh while upholding the spirit of the July Mass Uprising, Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam on Saturday said the nation remains prepared to resist any domestic or foreign attempts or conspiracies aimed at undermining the spirit of the mass uprising.
The defence adviser came up with the comment while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled "Looking Back at 2024" at the Retired Armed Forces Officers Welfare Association (RAOWA) Club auditorium in the capital’s Mohakhali on Saturday.
He said the July-August student-led mass movement was not merely a change of power but the culmination of the people's accumulated anger against fascism and a movement for state reform.
At the beginning of his speech, the defence adviser paid deep tribute to those who were killed during the July Mass Uprising, saying the sacrifices of young students and ordinary people would not be allowed to go in vain.
He said the "New Bangladesh," achieved through the blood of martyrs including Abu Sayeed and Mugdho, belongs to people from all walks of life, not to any particular group or political party.
He said the government is attaching the highest importance to ensuring proper medical treatment and rehabilitation for those injured and permanently disabled during the uprising and would ensure justice for those responsible for repression during the previous regime.
Highlighting the goals of the July movement, Shamsul Islam said its primary objective was comprehensive reform of state institutions and the establishment of good governance.
He said the armed forces are working tirelessly to support the interim reform process and maintain law and order in line with the aspirations of the people.
Although authoritarian forces have fallen, he said, vested interests linked to them are still attempting to create instability. However, he expressed confidence that such efforts would be thwarted through public support and coordinated resistance by the military and civil administration.
The defence adviser called upon the retired military officers for rebuilding the country combining the courage of the younger generation with the experience of senior citizens.
He called for utilising the experience and expertise of retired armed forces personnel in ensuring national security, policymaking and eliminating the remnants of fascism.
He also urged the RAOWA Club to play a leading role in standing beside the younger generation to help build a prosperous and accountable Bangladesh in line with the aspirations of the July movement.
The discussion was chaired by RAOWA Chairman Brig Gen (retd) Abdul Haque.
Among others, Lt Gen (retd) Abdullah Hil Azmi, CEO of the July Smriti Foundation Lt Col (retd) Kamal Akbar, RAOWA Executive Member Maj (retd) Niaz Ahmed, Lt Col (retd) Abu Nowroz Khurshid Alam, Flight Lt (retd) Harunur Rashid Bhuiyan, injured July fighter Aman Ullah, and Mohiuddin, father of martyred Asadullah, attended the programme along with retired military and civilian participants.