The High Court on Tuesday sought an explanation from the interim government as to why those killed during the student-led mass uprising between July 16 and August 5 should not be recognised as ‘national heroes,’ and why those injured or detained should not be accorded the legal status of ‘freedom fighters.’
The court further questioned why the government should not provide financial benefits equivalent to those received by 1971 freedom fighters to all individuals killed or injured or detained during the mass uprising.
Additionally, the court asked the authorities to explain why the families of those killed during the movement should not be rehabilitated.
The bench of Justice Md Kamrul Hossain Mollah and Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque issued the rule following a writ petition filed by Mohammad Ali Nazir Shaheen, a resident of Nasirabad Housing Society in Chattogram.
Representing the petitioner, senior lawyer Zainul Abedin argued that the sacrifices of the victims must be recognised in the greater interest of the nation.
Zainul further contended that the 15-year authoritarian regime of Sheikh Hasina came to an end on August 5, following a student-led movement that forced her to flee to neighboring India.
Representing the state, deputy attorney general Tanim Khan emphasised that recognising the victims of the uprising would elevate the country’s image.
Preliminary data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday reported 708 deaths during the movement.
Movement coordinators, however, claimed that 1,424 protesters were killed, over 22,000 were injured, and more than 600 lost their eyesight.