Name Change: 'Martyr Abu Sayeed Day' is now 'July Martyr's Day'

The interim government has changed the name of 'Martyr Abu Sayeed Day' celebrated on July 16 to 'July Martyr's Day'. At the same time, the 'New Bangladesh Day' declared on August 8 has been canceled. This decision was taken at the meeting of the Advisory Council held in Tejgaon in the capital on Sunday (June 29). After the meeting, the Chief Advisor's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said on social media that July 16 will be celebrated as 'July Martyr's Day' and August 5 as 'July Mass Uprising Day', but there will be no initiative to celebrate August 8.

Earlier, on June 26, the interim government announced the celebration of three days in a circular. There, August 5 was declared as the 'July Mass Uprising Day' to commemorate the fall of the Awami League government, August 8 as the 'New Bangladesh Day' to commemorate the formation of the interim government, and July 16 as the 'Martyr Abu Sayeed Day' to commemorate Abu Sayeed, who was shot dead by police in Rangpur.

However, after the announcement of August 8 as the 'New Bangladesh Day', there was a huge reaction on social media. NCP leaders expressed their anger and the Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami posted a post about it. An organization called 'Inquilab Manch' said that August 5, not August 8, would be the National Liberation Day. They threatened that if the government tried to observe August 8, they would observe 'Revolution-Behat Day' on that day.

On social media, pro-movement students and the public also began to criticize the government's failure to implement the main spirit and demands of the uprising. In the wake of this controversy and negative reaction, the decision to cancel the August 8th day was taken at a meeting on Sunday.

According to analysts, the interim government is trying to maintain the course of history, but if it is not more sensitive to the aspirations of the people, these decisions may create confusion and discomfort among the people. The concerned administration has already started preparing for the celebrations on August 5th and July 16th.