July mass uprising: Why fraudulency in list of martyrs, injured?

When the July–August mass uprising in 2024 exploded on the political horizon of Bangladesh with the promise of a new dawn, many thought the country was finally on the threshold of real change. Especially with the spontaneous participation of the youth, this movement had inspired a new hope, where the slogan of "change" was not just a word, but a collective dream. But unfortunately, the light of that dream quickly faded into deep darkness. One after another, those who claimed to lead the movement have become involved in such scandals that are not only disappointing but downright questionable.

From allegations of corruption to investigations into embezzlement, even serious accusations such as abuse of women, harassment, drugs, and extortion have been raised against those once hailed as "heroes of the movement." Their rhetoric or talk show speeches can no longer win the public’s trust, as their behind-the-scenes characters are no longer hidden.

The most serious question has arisen over gross irregularities and fraud in preparing the list of July’s martyrs and injured. According to leaked information, many have inserted their names into the list despite not being injured in the movement but due to personal accidents. Some have tried to prove themselves as “wounded warriors” by producing fake medical reports or using political influence. Even in the list of martyrs, there are names of individuals who died due to criminal activities or family disputes. The July Martyrs Memorial Foundation has already identified these fake names in its investigation and recommended cancellation of several gazettes.

The Foundation has identified over 70 fake martyrs and injured listed in the Management Information System (MIS) of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Some fake injured individuals have even disappeared after receiving grants. Lawsuits have been filed in this regard, and some money has been recovered. But the question remains—why was such a sensitive list was included in the gazette hastily without verification? Where did the mistake begin?

Even more tragic is the truth that many who were at the frontline of the movement, who appeared on stage like “deities”, have used that very stage for personal gain. Some have collected donations in the name of the movement, some have secured political patronage using the “brand value” of the movement, and others have promoted their business or organisations. What were once thrilling slogans have now become mere advertisements for hollow revolutions.

The most difficult question at this moment is—was this merely the deviation of a few individuals, or a reflection of our national character as a whole? Do we clap for every new face in leadership just because they criticise the old ones, without examining the new ones’ actions? Are we being deceived again, or are we ourselves eager participants in the process of deception? Today’s reality is that beneath the hype of “change” lies a new version of the old manipulative politics. Old scripts from new faces.

The day the people will begin to demand accountability from leadership instead of falling into the trap of destruction, deception, and showy revolutions—that day perhaps the real people’s uprising will begin. Until then, we will only witness—some walking over the blood of movement’s martyrs to hang banners bearing their names, and others turning the suffering of the injured into an economic “business model.” If this is the legacy of the mass uprising, then the question must be asked—are we truly in search of freedom, or a nation trapped in a cycle of deception?

According to a letter from the July Martyrs Memorial Foundation, the inclusion of fake names in the official list of martyrs and injured is not just a reflection of the weakness of state administration, but a grave insult to the true heroes of this movement. In such a sensitive process where a person is declared a “martyr,” the use of false information, fake documents, and political pressure to achieve ulterior motives has called the entire movement into question.

This situation has arisen from a combination of multiple failures and negligence. Firstly, the official responsibility of preparing the list lay with the district administration, the civil surgeon’s office, and the special cell related to the mass uprising. Yet, many applications were included in MIS without proper verification from their side. Some claimants have no evidence of participating in the movement, some were injured in personal accidents but claimed to be July warriors, and some were killed in extortion, family feuds, or road accidents but found their names in the list of martyrs—such examples have shattered the very foundation of ethics. Individuals like Ilyas Hossain Hiron and Md Liton have received government financial aid using forged medical documents.

Even those who were injured while suppressing the movement have had their names included in the list of injured—which is both morally and politically disgraceful. Imtiaz Hossain from Noakhali, who was accidentally shot dead while attempting to loot a police station; or Abu Sayeed from Demra, who was killed by mob beating while extorting money; even Bijoy, who died in a motorcycle accident; and Al Amin, who was shot dead in a land dispute—all of them have been gazetted as martyrs of the July uprising!

These fake names have reached official gazettes, clearly exposing the deep flaws of the process. Having names beside true martyrs that have nothing to do with the movement is not just a distortion of history but an insult to the families of the martyrs. Those who truly gave their lives, who became disabled, are now suffering the pain of injustice because of the presence of fraudsters beside their names. The July Martyrs Memorial Foundation is now taking some compensatory initiatives—verification, name cancellation, affidavit collection, and legal actions. But the question remains, where was this caution until now? Why wasn’t an impartial verification process formed from the beginning? Why was financial assistance provided without multi-level verification? The foundation cannot evade responsibility by citing the pressure to provide swift financial help, nor is the government administration free from blame.

This fraud is not just a matter of embezzlement—it is a kind of national self-betrayal. Such incidents erode people’s trust in the state. To remedy this, what’s needed first is an independent, neutral, and powerful verification committee that will identify the genuine martyrs and injured through transparent investigations. At the same time, exemplary action must be taken under criminal law against the false claimants. It must also be considered that this responsibility does not lie only at the individual level—this is an administrative and policy failure. When the politics, memory, and history of a movement are distorted under political and administrative patronage, the dignity of that movement is lost to future generations.

Therefore, the time has come to break this cycle of fraud. To properly honour the memory of martyrs and the injured, mere rhetoric is not enough—effective action is needed—so that history is not distorted, and those who made real sacrifices receive the honour and rights they deserve. Otherwise, the July movement will turn into a chapter of national deception, which is by no means desirable.

This dreadful fraud is not only wasting government funds but also committing grave injustice against the real martyrs and injured, and tarnishing the dignity of the movement. To get out of this situation, some immediate steps must be taken. First, the 'Fraud Detecting Team' proposed by the July Martyrs Memorial Foundation must be formed to thoroughly verify every name and application. A strict and transparent process must be followed in coordination with the civil surgeon’s office and district administration.

Those who have taken advantage through false information and fraud must face strict legal action. They should not just be let off with affidavits but be given exemplary punishment so that no one dares to commit such crimes in the future. Administrative measures should also be taken against those whose negligence or carelessness is proven in the verification process. To prevent recurrence of such incidents in the future, ensuring accountability is crucial. The public must be made aware and encouraged to report any such discrepancies to the authorities concerned.

Our respect and gratitude to the martyrs and injured of the July mass uprising is eternal. Today’s change has been achieved at the cost of their sacrifice. The fraud surrounding this movement is shameful for each of us as conscious citizens of the country. To be freed from this disgrace and to ensure justice for the real martyrs and injured, the government must take immediate, firm, and effective steps. Only then will the true spirit of the July mass uprising remain upheld, and the martyrs’ sacrifices receive their due honour.

Chiroranjan Sarker: Columnist.