Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki today spoke at a press conference at Ganabhaban in the capital. Photo: BSS

Dhaka, July 14, 2025 (BSS) - Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki said the official journey of the July Revival celebrations started from today with the celebration of July Women’s Day honoring the role of Dhaka University female students who took to the streets on this day last year.

“July Women's Day' is being celebrated today, July 14, remembering the role of women in the July movement,” he told a press conference at Ganabhaban here.

Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmeen S. Murshid, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, Deputy Press Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were present at the press conference, among others.

On July 14 last year, at a press conference, the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was later ousted in the mass uprising and fled the country, abused the students protesting against discrimination dubbing them as the grandchildren of the Razakars. 

Later that night, DU students took to the streets in protest. Later, in the face of intense protests, the Sheikh Hasina government fell on August 5 that year.

Adviser Farooki highlighted the physical programmes of the July Revival celebration.
An exceptional cultural evening was organized at the Central Shaheed Minar today to revive the memory of the July Uprising. 

The programme began with the performance of the national anthem at 6 pm. Artistes of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, students of the Music Department of Dhaka University and popular singer Sayan performed the national anthem in a collective voice. 

In addition, singer Sayan performed songs titled ‘Amii Bangladesh’, ‘Joy Banglar’, ‘Hoshiyari’, ‘Tajjab Bane Jai’, ‘Amar Naam Palestine’ and ‘Ami July Er Golpo Bolbo’.

Later, at 6:30 pm, a documentary produced by the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs was screened. 

After that, two films were “Deepak Kumar Goswami Speaking’ and ‘July Bishad Sindhu’ were screened. At 7:30 pm, 5 active participants of the July Movement and 3 members of the martyrs’ families spoke.

An emotional performance covered in songs and slogans began at 8 pm. 

The band group Ila La La took the stage and performed ‘Sangati’, ‘Achirjibir Prarthana’, ‘Bagher Gaan’ and ‘Neel Nirbasan’. 

After that, the slogan girls will take the stage to express their language of protest. 

Then, the band F Minor will sing, performing ‘Alo Asbei’, ‘Mukti’, ‘Dahuk’ and ‘Meye’. After the slogans, singer Parsa Mahjabin will come on stage again, whose voice will play ‘Cholo Bhule Jai’, ‘Muktir Mandir’ and ‘Mora Jhanjhar Mat Uddam’. Finally, artist Elita Karim will perform the songs ‘Ami Banglaay Gaan Gai’, ‘Dhan Dhanya Pushpa Bhara’, ‘Palashir Prantar’, ‘Ghure Darao’ and ‘Bangladesh’.

In addition, a special attraction of the programme is waiting for the audience at 10 pm—the Musical Drone Show. 

Organized jointly by Bangladesh and China, this show will feature 2000 drones flying in the sky. The history of Bangladesh’s ‘July Uprising’ will be highlighted, especially the memorable moment of the movement when the girls jumped from the DU hall on July 14. 

This two-stage show will first show how Bangladesh reached July, and in the second stage, the image of the day of the mass uprising will emerge.

Mustafa Sarwar Farooki said that there are separate programmes in Chattogram and Rangpur on July 16-July Martyrs' Day. 

He also said that big events will be organized on July 18 as Private University Resistance Day, and July 21 as Madrasa Resistance Day.

Stating that the construction of July memorials has begun in 64 districts from today, the cultural adviser said five advisors went there to open a memorial in Narayanganj on this occasion. 

The construction of the memorials will be completed on August 4.

Women and Children's Affairs Adviser Sharmeen S. Murshid said that when boys were being attacked in the July uprising, girls came forward and protected them. 

The July movement has created an idea of how collective power can develop and change society and this power must be kept alive, she added.

The Women and Child Affairs Ministry has taken the initiative to find every female fighter, the adviser said, adding that women are being subjected to 'cyber bullying'. First, they will be found and counseled and later, their achievements will be preserved, she said.

Asked by a journalist why it took so long to take the initiative to find the hidden female fighters, Sharmeen S Murshid said these issues took time to come to their attention. 

“We could not reach them in time. However, even though it was late, 100 women have been given the responsibility to find the women involved during the July movement,” she said.

Later, the journalists were shown the surroundings of Ganabhaban and the construction of the museum.