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Celebrations marking the first anniversary of the July Uprising that toppled the Sheikh Hasina regime are underway at Dhaka's Manik Mia Avenue.
The day-long festivities began with a patriotic performance by cultural group Saimum Shilpigosthi at 12:10 pm on Tuesday.
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus will unveil the July Proclamation in the afternoon.
To ensure the participation of the masses, the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has hired eight pairs of trains to bring students and members of the public from across the country to the capital. These trains will also take them back after the event.
By around 11:15 am, people of various ages were seen streaming into the venue despite light rain.
Some were carrying national flags, others had tied them around their heads. Among them was Md Ahmedul Hasan, who had come from Mirpur with his sister and young nephew.
“On this day in 2024, the tyrant Sheikh Hasina fled the country. I came here last year as well. I’ve come again today to commemorate the occasion. Various events are set to take place here and I’ve come to enjoy them.”
WHAT LIES IN STORE
The event has been jointly organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, and the Parliament Secretariat.
The lineup of artists also includes Tong-er Gaan, Kalarab Shilpigosthi, Nahid, and Tashfir.
Meanwhile, Chittagong Hip-Hop Hood, rapper Shezan, and the rock band Shunno are due to perform after a break for Zuhr prayers.
At 2:25 pm, a segment titled "Celebrating the Fall of Fascism" is planned, followed by performances from singer Farzana Wahid Shayan at 2:40 pm, Ethun Babu and Moushumi, along with the bands Souls and Warfaze.
Following the Asr prayer break, the July Proclamation will be unveiled at 5:00 pm.
In the evening, a special drone show is planned, and later at night, popular rock band Artcell is expected to perform.
The student movement that began in mid-2024 demanding reform of the public service quota system culminated in the overthrow of the government.
After a 36-day uprising, Sheikh Hasina, who had ruled the country with an iron grip for over 15 years, was forced to resign and flee to India.
The movement initially started at Dhaka University but quickly spread like wildfire to educational institutions across the country.
The government's response was force -- bullets, tear gas, and batons. In a bid to contain the situation, it first blocked Facebook, then shut down the entire internet. The move backfired.
Within 20 days of the first bloodshed, the weight of casualties and public outrage brought down the Awami League administration on August 5, 2024, when Hasina fled the country.
Three days later, an interim government led by Yunus took over the administration of the state. Accepting the demands of the uprising's supporters, it began the process of restructuring the state.