Govt to Roll Out Monthly Allowances for July Uprising Heroes from

In a landmark step toward honoring the student-led July uprising, the government will begin disbursing monthly allowances to individuals officially recognized as ‘July Fighters’ starting next month. The announcement was made by Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk-e-Azam during an exclusive interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) at the Secretariat on Monday.

Alongside financial assistance, those who sustained injuries during the historic protests will receive lifelong medical treatment at government hospitals, reaffirming the state’s long-term commitment to their welfare.

“What took over 50 years for 1971 freedom fighters has been achieved in just seven to eight months for the July uprising participants,” said Faruk-e-Azam, attributing the achievement to the interim administration’s resolve and efficiency.

Dedicated Welfare Structure for Fighters

A dedicated wing has already been established within the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs to oversee the welfare and rehabilitation of the July fighters. The unit, comprising 20 full-time officials and led by an additional secretary, is tasked with helping the injured reintegrate into society through job placements, entrepreneurship, and vocational training.

The adviser emphasized that the July uprising is a vital part of the nation's democratic legacy and must be preserved and honored. He also assured that families still awaiting recognition or support would not be left behind.

Financial Benefits Categorized by Injury Severity

Recognized individuals have been categorized into three groups based on the severity of their injuries:

Category A (Severe Disability):

• • 493 recipients
  • Monthly allowance: Tk 20,000
  • One-time grant: Tk 5 lakh, of which Tk 2 lakh has been paid; remaining Tk 3 lakh due in July
  • Eligible for overseas treatment upon medical board approval
  • Some already treated in Turkey and Thailand

Category B (Moderate Disability):

• • 908 recipients
  • Monthly allowance: Tk 15,000
  • One-time grant: Tk 3 lakh, with Tk 1 lakh already disbursed
  • Vocational training and support included
• Category C (Mild Injury/Recovered):
  • 10,642 recipients
  • Monthly allowance: Tk 10,000 from July
  • One-time grant: Tk 1 lakh
  • Support for reintegration and identity documentation

Support for Martyred Families

A government gazette has officially recognized 834 individuals as July Martyrs. Each martyr’s family is entitled to a compensation package of Tk 30 lakh, split into two phases:

• Tk 10 lakh already provided via national savings certificates in FY 2024–25
• Tk 20 lakh scheduled for disbursement in FY 2025–26

Additionally, families will receive a monthly stipend of Tk 20,000, and eligible members will be given priority in public and semi-government employment.

National Recognition and Future Plans

In recognition of the uprising's significance, August 5 will now be observed annually as ‘July Uprising Day’. Faruk-e-Azam acknowledged a few administrative delays and communication gaps, particularly with 134 martyr families facing inheritance complications. He assured that efforts are underway to resolve these, and discrepancies in the injured fighters' database are being corrected through active investigation.

He also noted that families who come forward in the future to report missing members will be evaluated seriously, even decades later. In such cases, the government may use forensic tools such as DNA testing to identify the deceased.