BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. -File Photo

DHAKA, July 1, 2025 (BSS) - BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia will join the BNP's special discussion meeting on the first anniversary of the July-August Uprising as the chief guest virtually.

The discussion meeting will begin at 3 pm today at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center, said Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed, convener of the July-August Uprising Commemoration Committee.

"Begum Khaleda Zia, the mother of democracy, will be the chief guest at this event. I hope she will join this event virtually from her Gulshan residence," he said, adding BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the event virtually from London.

All preparations for the event have already been completed.

This is the first event of a 36-day program to mark the first anniversary of the July-August mass uprising and victory. Leaders and professionals from various political parties have been invited to the event.

The banner at the discussion meeting reads, 'Mass Uprising-2024: National Unity and Democratic Movement, Discussion Meeting and Special Program in Honor of the Families of Martyrs."
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will speak as a special guest at this discussion meeting and Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, convener of the July-August Mass Uprising and Victory First Anniversary Celebration Committee, will preside.

According to party sources, the families and relatives of the leaders and activists who were killed and disappeared during the 2024 mass movement and anti-government movement will participate in the event and deliver commemorative speeches. In addition, national-level leaders of BNP will also speak at the event.

Leaders and activists along with guests have arrived at the venue for the event. The banner features a few martyrs including Abu Sayeed, who was shot dead by police in the July-August uprising, and graffiti pictures of students and the public holding banners like 'One point, one demand' and 'Let's end autocracy'.

BNP has announced a 36-day program to mark the anniversary of the July-August uprising. The program includes victory processions, silent processions, student rallies, discussion meetings, seminars, blood donations, graffiti drawing, street plays, football tournaments, programs on child rights, public awareness activities to prevent dengue and corona, and at least 22 different events.

The BNP's program for July-August started with the lighting of candles by the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at Central Shaheed Minar at 12:01 am on Tuesday.