DHAKA, July 03 (V7N) – The Bangladeshi government has formally instructed all private and public schools and colleges across the country to observe two significant dates: August 5 as "July Mass Uprising Day" and July 16 as "Shaheed Day." This directive, issued today by the Secondary and Higher Secondary Division, aims to commemorate the contributions of those involved in the July uprising and to foster a spirit against fascism.

The order specifies that the Cabinet Division has classified August 5 as a 'Ka' category day, indicating a full public holiday, while July 16 has been designated as a 'Kha' category day, which usually entails official observance without necessarily being a public holiday.

These observances are in direct reference to the July Revolution (also known as the Student-People's Uprising) that swept Bangladesh in 2024. The movement, which began as a student-led protest for public sector quota reform in early June, escalated significantly throughout July due to a government crackdown and widespread public discontent, eventually leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024.

August 5, 2024, marks the day Sheikh Hasina resigned and left the country, signifying the culmination of the mass uprising and the end of her 15-year rule. This date is now officially recognized as "July Mass Uprising Day."

July 16, 2024, is particularly significant as it saw some of the first fatalities in the movement. On this day, violence escalated, and a student named Abu Sayed was shot dead by police in Rangpur, becoming a symbol of the movement's martyrs. This date will now be observed as "Shaheed Day" to honor those who lost their lives in the uprising. While initially some discussions suggested commemorating it as "Shaheed Abu Sayed Day," the broader "July Martyrs' Day" has been adopted to reflect the wider sacrifices.

The interim government, led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, has consistently emphasized the importance of recognizing the July Revolution and its impact on Bangladesh's democratic transition. This directive to schools and colleges aims to instill the values of justice, democracy, and anti-fascism in the younger generation, cementing the events of July and August 2024 into the national narrative and educational curriculum.

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