Bangladesh is observing ‘July Martyrs’ Day’ for the first time today (July 16) to commemorate the July Uprising and the death of Abu Sayeed, a student protester shot dead by police during last year’s anti-quota movement.

The country is also observing a day of state mourning today, commemorating the July martyrs.

Sayeed, a student at Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, was killed on July 16, 2024, during demonstrations demanding reforms to the government job quota system. His death sparked widespread outrage across the country.

The Cabinet Division announced the official observance through a notification issued on July 2, declaring July 16 as ‘July Martyrs’ Day’ to be included under Category ‘B’ of the government’s list of national and international commemorative days.

On this occasion, state mourning is being observed across the country. A circular issued by the Cabinet Division on Tuesday confirmed that the national flag will be flown at half-mast at all government, semi-government, autonomous, and educational institutions, as well as at all Bangladesh missions abroad.

Special prayers are being held at mosques and other places of worship across the country for the souls of the martyrs.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus issued a message marking the day.

Earlier, on June 25, the government had issued separate circulars declaring August 8 as ‘New Bangladesh Day’ and July 16 as ‘Shaheed Abu Sayeed Day’.

However, the observance was later revised, and July 16 was renamed ‘July Martyrs’ Day’ while August 8 was dropped from the commemorative list.

SMS/