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“We Have Not Come to Bid Farewell—Osman Hadi Will Live in the Hearts of All Bangladeshis”

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Chief Adviser at Janazah “We Have Not Come to Bid Farewell—Osman Hadi Will Live in the Hearts of All Bangladeshis” Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said, “Brave Osman Hadi, we have not come here to bid you farewell. You live within our hearts, and as long as Bangladesh exists, you will remain in the hearts of all Bangladeshis—no one can erase that.” He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while speaking ahead of the janazah of Inqilab Mancha Convener Sharif Osman bin Hadi at the South Plaza of the National Parliament. The chief adviser said, “Dear Hadi, we have not come today to say goodbye; we have come to make a promise to you—that we will fulfill what you stood for.” He added that people across the country have praised Hadi’s political vision, which must remain alive in everyone’s minds and be followed. Professor Yunus further said that Hadi left behind a mantra the nation will never forget— ‘Chiro Unnata Momo Shir’ (Ever Upright Is My Head). “That head will never bow. We m...
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July Foundation Faces Fund Shortage, Employees Uncertain About Salaries

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July Foundation Faces Fund Shortage, Employees Uncertain About Salaries

The July Shaheed Memorial Foundation has run out of operational funds, creating uncertainty over whether its employees will receive salaries and allowances from November.

Initially launched with a Tk 1 billion donation, the foundation’s resources grew through additional contributions. However, just a year later, it is now facing a severe financial crunch, making it difficult to cover salaries and operational expenses.

On 15 September, the foundation’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kamal Akbar sent a letter to the Ministry of Finance—through the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs—seeking an allocation of Tk 50 million for operational costs. He said no response has yet been received.

The foundation currently employs 44 people, including the CEO, and maintains a 2,400-square-foot office in Shahbagh, Dhaka, with a monthly rent of Tk 150,000. Its operational expenses include salaries, allowances, rent, transport, fuel, travel, and administrative costs.

Kamal Akbar told Prothom Alo that a funding request has been sent to one of the government’s welfare funds, such as those for funeral or burial assistance.

The Chief Adviser of the interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, granted the initial Tk 1 billion from the Chief Adviser’s Relief and Welfare Fund on 17 September last year, when the foundation was established to support the families of those killed or injured in the July uprising.

At the launch event held at the Foreign Service Academy, it was announced that the foundation would provide long-term support, including financial aid and medical care for injured individuals. However, families of the martyrs have since criticised the government for prioritising memorial construction and grave preservation projects over sustaining the foundation meant to serve them.

Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdha, brother of July martyr Mir Mahmudur Rahman Mugdho, initially served as the foundation’s general secretary before becoming CEO. Although he resigned on 8 May, he remains an executive board member. The six-member board is chaired by the Chief Adviser and includes advisers Nurjahan Begum, Sharmin S Murshid, and Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain.

Mir Mahbubur Rahman said that treatment and rehabilitation of the injured must be prioritised over projects related to memorials or preservation.

Funding and Expenditures

When asked how the foundation managed to pay staff up to October, CEO Kamal Akbar explained that for fiscal year 2024–25, the Local Government Division allocated Tk 30 million:

  • Tk 10 million for salaries (eight months),

  • Tk 2.5 million for allowances,

  • Tk 2 million for healthcare, and

  • Tk 15.5 million as a special grant.

Those funds have now been exhausted, he said, and operations cannot continue beyond October.

The foundation’s funds once reached Tk 1.19 billion, including Tk 50 million from a bank and another Tk 50 million from an anonymous donor, alongside public contributions via its website and social media. Now, only about Tk 60 million remains, but that portion is restricted and cannot be used for salaries.

Originally, the foundation planned to provide Tk 500,000 to each martyr’s family and up to Tk 100,000 to each injured person. According to official records, there are 834 recognised martyrs. So far, the foundation says it has assisted 829 martyr families and 6,865 injured individuals, disbursing a total of Tk 1.13 billion in financial aid.

Focus on Memorial Projects Draws Criticism

On 17 July, during the inauguration of the “Street Memory Stamp” project in Chattogram, Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk E Azam announced plans to build memorials in 864 locations across the country. Earlier, on 14 July, five advisers of the interim government inaugurated the first July Shaheed Memorial in Hajiganj, Narayanganj, commemorating 21 martyrs.

A large memorial is also being built at Osmani Udyan, Dhaka, estimated to cost Tk 460 million, according to Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain. Environmentalists, however, have expressed concern over new construction in the park.

The government is also converting Ganabhaban, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s official residence, into the July Memorial Museum, with contracts being awarded through direct procurement. Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has voiced concern over the Tk 1.11 billion construction and renovation cost under this non-competitive process.

Protests Over Unpaid Aid

Frustration over unpaid assistance has led to protests. On 8 July, several injured individuals from the July uprising vandalised the foundation’s office, while on 13 May, families of martyrs and the injured formed a human chain, demanding the removal of the foundation’s CEO and treasurer.

Executive member Sabrina Afroz, sister of martyr Mahmudur Rahman (Saikat), said that “memorials are not as important as ensuring proper care for the injured and martyrs’ families.” She added that it is shameful that many injured individuals are still struggling to receive medical and rehabilitation support.

Overlapping Roles and Coordination Issues

In April, the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs established a new July Mass Uprising Directorate, tasked with similar responsibilities—financial aid, healthcare, and education for the martyrs’ families and injured—creating overlap with the foundation’s work.

CEO Kamal Akbar acknowledged that coordination issues have emerged between the foundation and the ministry. However, Mashiur Rahman, Director General of the new directorate, denied any conflict, saying both institutions are working according to their assigned duties.

Board member Mir Mahbubur Rahman commented that bureaucratic hurdles slow down the directorate’s operations, while the foundation, as an independent body, can act more quickly. “The foundation remains the only platform where families of martyrs and the injured can voice their concerns,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the crisis will soon be resolved: “The foundation’s governing board will meet shortly, and I’m hopeful that necessary steps will be taken to overcome these challenges.”

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