Bangladesh’s ‘July Warriors’ Face Enduring Hardship Two Years After Protests
Thousands injured in Bangladesh’s widespread “July mass uprising” two years ago are struggling to rebuild their lives, often dependent on government allowances that fall short of their needs. Many, like Shafiqul Islam, lost limbs or eyesight, enduring significant physical and financial hardship, according to recent interviews with five affected individuals.
Shafiqul Islam, 43, lay bleeding on a street in Gazipur after being shot in the leg on July 16, 2024. An auto-rickshaw driver eventually took him to the hospital. Shafiqul, who used to drive a pickup truck for a living, now receives a monthly allowance of Tk15,000 after his right leg was amputated. He missed the “critically injured” category, which would have granted him Tk5,000 more, because his injury was officially recorded before the amputation.
The July mass uprising led to the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024. The former interim government recognized those killed as “July Martyrs” and the wounded as “July Warriors.” Data from the July Martyrs’ Memorial Foundation lists 865 people as martyred and 15,903 as wounded.
Government allowances are categorized by injury severity: Category ‘A’ (critically injured) receives Tk20,000, Category ‘B’ (seriously injured) receives Tk15,000, and Category ‘C’ (moderately injured) receives Tk10,000.
Lieutenant Colonel (retd) Kamal Akbar, CEO of the July Martyrs’ Memorial Foundation, noted a severe funding shortage. The foundation needs Tk3.83 billion to assist all victims but received only Tk1 billion from the interim government. So far, 6,300 people have received aid, but the foundation needs an additional Tk2.63 billion for full rehabilitation. Foundation staff have not been paid in five months.
Md. Ariful, 32, was shot in the knee during a protest on July 19, 2024. He has undergone 12 surgeries due to persistent infections and relies on government allowances, unable to run his small shop. Md. Mizanur Rahman, 42, lost his eyesight after being shot on August 5, 2024. Despite receiving a Category ‘A’ allowance of Tk20,000, he finds it incredibly difficult to manage household expenses and supports his family in his village.
Belal Hossain, 39, lost sight in his right eye but was unaware of free advanced medical treatment in Dhaka and was placed in Category ‘B’. He struggles to support his wife and three children on his Tk15,000 allowance. Aman Ullah, 22, lost sight in both eyes during a victory procession on August 5, 2024. He wants training and work, not just charity, to regain his self-confidence and become productive.
These individuals represent a fraction of those still grappling with the physical, emotional, and financial scars of the July uprising, highlighting the long-term impact of the tumultuous period.
