Dhaka, Aug 08 (V7N) – National Citizens Party (NCP) Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam has called for the history of the July Uprising to be kept free from partisan politics and demanded legislation to establish the July Memorial Museum as an autonomous institution.
He made the remarks while visiting the July Memorial Museum with a delegation of NCP representatives on Saturday (August 8) morning.
Nahid Islam said the museum needs an autonomous administrative structure and adequate manpower to preserve and present the history of the July Uprising properly.
He claimed that the museum currently operates with only 12 to 15 volunteers, although at least 200 staff members would be required to run the institution effectively. He warned that the museum's operations could otherwise face serious risks.
According to Nahid, Ganabhaban, where the museum has been established, was a major centre of what he described as authoritarian rule during the previous 16 years. He said the museum should document not only domestic political developments but also the role of foreign powers that, in his view, influenced the political environment during the Sheikh Hasina era.
The NCP leader also criticized what he described as changes to the museum's exhibits. He claimed that memorials related to border killings, including the case of Felani Khatun, had been removed, while exhibits concerning BNP's alleged persecution over 16 years had been expanded.
As a result, he alleged, partisan narratives have found a place in the museum.
Nahid Islam called on the authorities to ensure that no political party receives special prominence in the museum and that its exhibits instead focus on issues of national importance.
He also pointed out that memorials of schools and colleges outside Dhaka that played roles in the July Movement have not been included in the museum.
The NCP convener urged the government to give greater attention to the museum's presentation and artistic design so that the history of the movement can be preserved and communicated more effectively to future generations.
He further demanded that the government enact a law formally recognizing the July Memorial Museum as an autonomous museum.
END/SMA/AJ
