Activists of the ‘July-August Movement’ have blocked Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka, demanding the issuance of the long-promised ‘July Charter’ and formal declaration. They began the blockade at around 9:30 AM on Thursday, 31 July, and have vowed to continue their protest indefinitely until their demands are met.
Chanting slogans such as
“We want the July Charter”,
“Take our blood if needed, but give us the charter”,
“No more delays”, and
“We won’t be silenced by threats of bullets”,
the protesters brought traffic at one of the city’s key junctions to a halt.
Protesters’ Core Demands
| Demand | Description |
| Recognition of the July Charter | Formal acceptance of the charter by the state |
| Issuance of Declaration Document | An official government document affirming their demands and identity |
Voices from the Protest
Masud Rana Sourav, chief coordinator of the movement, stated:
“We have held multiple discussions with state representatives, but each time they have betrayed us. We no longer want promises — we want the actual charter and declaration in hand. Until that happens, this blockade will continue indefinitely.”
Nazir Ahmed Khan, one of the injured protesters, said:
“We have already shed blood. We are no longer afraid. Those who sacrificed their lives to oust Hasina are national heroes. Scare tactics won’t work on us. For seventeen years, political parties failed. We took to the streets and brought change within a month.”
He added:
“Our demands are clear — official recognition of the July Charter and an accompanying declaration. Without them, we will not leave the streets.”
Md. Babu Islam, another injured protester, expressed frustration at inadequate healthcare:
“They’re trying to pacify us with July Warrior ID cards, but our brothers are being denied treatment in hospitals. The health card is meaningless. Without official documents, future governments could file cases against us. We won’t take that risk. If we get the charter, we’ll withdraw peacefully.”
Ongoing Action and Future Plans
The protesters have reaffirmed their commitment to continue their sit-in at Shahbagh and warned of escalated nationwide programmes if their demands remain unmet. Their position is uncompromising — no charter, no withdrawal.
