Documentary Without Abu Sayed Is No Documentary At All: Acting President Hafiz

Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, stated on Wednesday that any video documentary on the July Mass Uprising that omits the photograph of Shahid Abu Sayed cannot be considered a genuine documentary.

Speaking as the chief guest at an official event organized to mark July Mass Uprising Day at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka, Hafiz addressed the widespread commotion that broke out over severe editorial inconsistencies in a state-commissioned screening.

"There are numerous errors in the documentary. The primary flaw I observed is that Shahid Abu Sayed’s photograph is missing. Abu Sayed is the very image and symbol of this revolution—without his picture, it is no documentary at all. Furthermore, the documentary also omitted former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia."

Addressing the audience's intense reaction and slogans, the Acting President noted that while the State Minister for Liberation War Affairs had already offered an apology for the editorial lapse, attendees should have exercised restraint once the apology was issued.

"The State Minister for Liberation War Affairs has apologized over this matter, and we should have remained calm following that. Harboring this anger to stage parliamentary-style walkouts and commotion was not desirable," Hafiz remarked. "This is your elected government. If we make mistakes, correct us. We cannot become the Awami League—the Awami League possesses no sense of shame."

Responding directly to recent threats from the fugitive leadership of the fallen Awami League regarding a potential return to domestic politics in December, the Acting President issued a firm challenge:

"Come back to the country—we will face you on the streets. I fought in the Liberation War at the age of 27, and at 82, I am prepared to fight for Bangladesh once again. We will ensure a permanent settlement for democracy and the rule of the people."