DU to Observe July Uprising Day with Closure on August 5

The government has declared 5 August as “July Mass-Uprising Day” to be observed annually with a public holiday, prompting Dhaka University (DU) authorities to announce a campus closure on that date. The decision was formalized through a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, reflecting the significance of the day marking the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in 2024.

On Wednesday, 30 July, DU’s Acting Registrar Munshi Shamsuddin Ahmmad issued a notification stating, “It is hereby notified for the information of all concerned that, in light of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh’s decision to observe 5 August as ‘July Mass-Uprising Day’ every year and declare it a public holiday, Dhaka University will remain closed on 5 August (Tuesday).”

The Cabinet Division, following a meeting of the interim government’s Advisory Council, included 5 August as a Category A national and international observance day. Additionally, a separate notification declared 16 July as “July Martyrs’ Day,” categorized as a Category B observance, to commemorate those killed during the July protests, including Abu Sayed, who died in Rangpur due to police firing. However, the earlier proposal to observe 8 August as “New Bangladesh Day,” marking the formation of the interim government under Professor Muhammad Yunus, was rescinded after objections from National Citizen Party (NCP) leaders on social media. The government clarified that 8 August will not be observed as a national day, while the 16 July observance remains in place.

On 25 June, the Cabinet Division had announced three commemorative days: 5 August as “July Mass-Uprising Day” for the student-public uprising that led to the fall of the Awami League government, 8 August as “New Bangladesh Day” for the interim government’s formation, and 16 July as “Martyr Abu Sayed Day” for the student killed during the protests. The subsequent decision to cancel the 8 August observance was detailed in the latest notification.

The July uprising, sparked by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement throughout July 2024, culminated in a unified student-public revolt, termed the “July Mass-Uprising.” On 5 August 2024, the Sheikh Hasina government collapsed, followed by the formation of an interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus on 8 August.

To mark the first anniversary of the uprising, the government has organized a month-long “July Memory Celebration Program,” starting on 1 July and continuing with intermittent events until 5 August. The closure of Dhaka University aligns with these observances, reflecting the national significance of the day.