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Sheikh Azizur Rahman, a survivor of the July 2024 mass uprising, on Thursday met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and handed over the blood-stained national flag he used to stop the bleeding after being shot during the movement, fulfilling what he described as a long-held wish.
The meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s Office at the Bangladesh Secretariat, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Press Wing.
Azizur, who sustained a gunshot wound to the head during the uprising, presented the flag he had wrapped around his head after being hit by police gunfire. The flag became soaked in blood as he tried to stop the bleeding.
Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said the meeting was arranged after the Prime Minister saw a recent media report claiming that Azizur had not been recognised as a July movement fighter because of his affiliation with Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal. The Prime Minister subsequently asked officials to verify the matter.
During the meeting, Tarique Rahman listened to Azizur’s account of the incident and enquired about his medical treatment, education and current circumstances.
The Prime Minister also learned that Azizur has been driving a CNG-powered auto-rickshaw to support his family and continue his studies.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Azizur suffered a gunshot wound to the head and sustained 36 bullet splinter injuries across different parts of his body during the July movement.
Speaking after the meeting, Azizur said he was overwhelmed to finally fulfil his wish.
“I had always wanted to hand this flag to the Prime Minister. Today that wish has come true. I cannot express my feelings in words,” he said.
Azizur is a second-year honours student in the Department of Social Work at Government Bangla College and serves as a member of the convening committee of the college unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal. He hails from Lohagara upazila in Narail district.
He came into the public spotlight during the July 2024 uprising after carrying the national flag on the Mirpur-10 flyover before being critically injured in police firing.
He was arrested on July 19, 2024, and released two days later after spending time on remand.
Despite his injuries, Azizur has continued his education while earning a living as an auto-rickshaw driver. According to the Press Wing, he has yet to receive official recognition as a July movement fighter.
