Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Asaduzzaman has alleged that more than 4,500 individuals were killed in extrajudicial “crossfire” incidents during the 16-year tenure of the previous government. He made these remarks while serving as the chief guest at an event titled “July Uprising in the Mirror of Memory,” organized by the Bangladesh Recitation Federation at the National Theatre Hall of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, on Wednesday afternoon.
During his address, the minister paid tribute to the martyrs of the July 2024 mass uprising, as well as the injured fighters and those who suffered from enforced disappearances, torture, and killings during the anti-autocracy movements of the past 16 years. Asaduzzaman stated that over 700 people were victims of enforced disappearance during that period. Furthermore, he noted that more than 6 million people were targeted with fabricated and “ghost” cases due to their political opposition. He described the July 2024 uprising as the successful and logical culmination of a long struggle and sacrifice by the people.
The minister highlighted the absurdity of the legal harassment, citing instances where individuals who had passed away years prior, those performing Hajj, or people with physical disabilities—including those missing both hands—were accused of involvement in bomb attacks. He praised the Bangladesh Recitation Federation for its efforts to spread the spirit of the July uprising to remote areas through the poetry of Kazi Nazrul Islam.
Asaduzzaman emphasized that although recitation has long been a vital part of the nation’s culture, it had previously lacked institutional recognition. He announced that the government is taking steps to amend laws in the National Parliament to formally establish recitation as a recognized branch of the country’s arts and culture. He added that artists and cultural activists play a crucial role in fostering democratic consciousness, human values, and patriotism.
The event was also addressed by State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam, the law minister’s wife Shirin Sultana, and Bangladesh Recitation Federation leaders Mehedi Hasan and Mahmudul Hasan. The program concluded with the distribution of awards to winners of a recitation competition, attended by cultural figures, students, and members of the public.