Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that the July uprising was not led by any single party or student group, but by people of all ages—from children to the elderly—across the country.

He said: “Bangladesh rose up as a whole. In that uprising, 79 members of the Jubo Dal and 142 members of the Chhatra Dal were martyred. Credit must be given where it is due. We must call a spade a spade.”

Mirza Fakhrul Islam was speaking on Monday (July 28) at the launch of a graffiti arts exhibition organized by the BNP’s youth wing, Jubo Dal, in front of the National Museum in Dhaka.

Referring to recent allegations of extortion by activists involved in the anti-discrimination movement, Fakhrul said, “Hearing that coordinators have demanded money has left me heartbroken. Just one year after the people’s uprising—how did we end up here? Is this the outcome we hoped for?”

Expressing concern over the future, he added, “If such things are happening this early, what lies ahead? The entire country is looking to the youth. But it pains me to admit that I cannot yet say with confidence that this country is on the path to renewal. The situation is being manipulated in a way that could open the door for fascist forces once again.”

Fakhrul also said that BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman is working to rebuild the country and guide its transformation. “BNP is offering full cooperation on reform issues, but we see no real progress from the government’s side. No matter how much pressure is created to push us into a corner, the people of this country know how to fight. They have fought before to free the nation, and they will do it again. Tarique Rahman is trying to lead the way toward rebuilding Bangladesh.”

SMS/