BNP, Jamaat clash in parliament over leadership of July Uprising

The BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami locked horns in parliament today (28 June) over who should be credited with leading the 2024 July Uprising, with the ruling party insisting that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was its principal leader, while the opposition argued that the movement had no single "mastermind."

The debate unfolded in two rounds during the general discussion on the proposed FY2026-27 budget.

The issue was first raised by State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat, who said the opposition leader had previously described Tarique Rahman as the principal figure behind the movement.

"Following the July Uprising, the leader of the opposition said about the movement, 'The principal hero of this movement was Mr Tarique Rahman.' Even while staying abroad, he provided the nation with highly intellectual and effective leadership. Through his leadership, the July Uprising succeeded, and today we have reached this point," Millat said.

Raising a point of order, Jamaat Ameer and Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman said the timeline cited by the minister was incorrect.

"I made that statement, but you have not mentioned the timing correctly. The time was April 2024, and the situation changed in August 2024," he said.

"Even Muhammad Yunus, while in the United States, referred to one person as the mastermind. I was the first to protest and say that we do not accept any single mastermind behind this movement. We want to give credit to our young generation. The mastermind is the 18 crore people of Bangladesh," he added.

The issue resurfaced after the afternoon session resumed.

BNP lawmaker Zainul Abdin Farroque, speaking on a point of order, said the BNP and Tarique Rahman had consistently maintained that the people of Bangladesh were the true heroes of the July Uprising.

"You yourself said at a 12-party meeting in Moghbazar on 24 April 2026 that Tarique Rahman was the great hero and principal leader of the July revolution. What Millat said is true. Let that remain on record," he said.

Responding, Shafiqur said there was no disagreement between him and the BNP lawmaker.

"He has spoken the truth, and I thank him. I only said the date was incorrect. We were in prison at the time. After our release, during Ramadan, I spoke at a BNP iftar programme at the Ladies Club. It was not a 12-party meeting. What he said about my remarks is true," he said.

However, he reiterated his position that the circumstances had changed after 5 August.

"The context after 5 August was different. Credit should go to those who deserve it. When Muhammad Yunus visited the United States with others, he referred to one person as the mastermind. I was the first to object, saying that we do not recognise any individual as the sole mastermind of this uprising. That is the fact. I said it before, I say it now, and I will continue to say it," he added.