Chaos Erupts at July Martyrs' Reception Over Documentary 'Inconsistencies'

A state reception and discussion program organized for the families of July Uprising martyrs and injured "July warriors" was marred by commotion on Wednesday (August 5) at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. The disturbance broke out shortly after the screening of a video documentary arranged by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs to mark July Mass Uprising Day.

Tensions escalated rapidly across the venue following the screening, as a section of injured victims and martyrs' families—joined by central leaders and activists of the National Citizen Party (NCP)—began chanting "Bhua! Bhua!" ("Fake! Fake!") slogans in protest against what they described as significant factual inaccuracies in the documentary.

As the crowd grew restless, Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan repeatedly appealed for calm from the stage. However, the situation deteriorated when State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain took the microphone and addressed the gathering, stating, "You have come here to display your ignorance." The state minister's remark triggered intense resentment and renewed shouting across the auditorium, prompting Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed to step up to the microphone multiple times to restore order.

Stepping onto the stage to pacify the audience, NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen asked attendees to remain seated, acknowledging that the video documentary contained "numerous inconsistencies." He assured the gathering that NCP leadership would promptly raise these concerns with government authorities to seek an immediate resolution.

Following Akhter's statement, Minister Ahmed Azam Khan addressed the hall again, reassuring attendees that all identified inconsistencies would be examined and resolved in consultation with affected families and injured fighters. The program eventually resumed its formal proceedings after the situation cooled down. Earlier, the ceremony commenced at 12:00 PM with a Quran recitation, featuring Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, as the chief guest.