He also said the movement was not confined to any single political group
Anti-quota protesters congregate in the Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka on 12 July. Photo: Mehedi Hasan
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Anti-quota protesters congregate in the Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka on 12 July. Photo: Mehedi Hasan
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has said that no individual or political party was the mastermind of the July Uprising, describing it instead as a movement led by democracy-seeking people across Bangladesh.
In an interview with BBC Bangla, he said he does not see himself as the mastermind of the July Uprising, despite many BNP leaders and supporters referring to him as the “sole mastermind”.
“No, I certainly never see myself as the mastermind of this movement. The uprising that culminated in 5 August, which came to be known as the July Uprising took place in July but its context began many years ago,” Tarique said.
He said the movement was not confined to any single political group.
“Activists of democratic parties, whether from the BNP or others…contributed in various ways. Their activists were oppressed in various ways,” he said.
Tarique added that the movement united people from all walks of life.
“Were only political party activists on the ground that day? Absolutely not. We saw madrasa students on the ground…housewives taking to the streets…farmers, labourers, CNG drivers, small traders, garment workers. We saw retired military officers and employees taking to the streets,” he added.
He also mentioned that some journalists who had faced persecution under the previous government participated in the movement.
“We do not want to belittle or undermine anyone’s role. I firmly believe that every person, irrespective of class, opinion, or political affiliation, contributed to it,” he said.
“This was the movement of the people of Bangladesh, the people who believe in democracy are the masterminds of this movement. No party, no individual, the democracy-seeking people of Bangladesh are the masterminds,” Tarique concluded.