Photography display titled 'July Revolution on Film' commences at Chattogram Press Club for 3 days
In the heart of Chattogram, the VIP Lounge of the Chattogram Press Club played host to a poignant and significant three-day photo exhibition titled 'July Revolution on Camera'. The event, held on 2 August at 11 am, showcased nearly 160 photographs that captured the political unrest, disappearances, killings, and various forms of persecution that occurred during July and August in 2024.
The exhibition was a collective tribute to the martyrs who lost their lives in the struggle for democracy, a struggle that eventually led to the ousting of the government in August 2024. The photographs, taken in Dhaka and Chattogram, depicted the events of the 36-day revolution, often referred to as the July-August events, and served as a stark reminder of the 16 years of repression that Bangladesh has endured.
The opening ceremony was graced by influential figures from the journalism and political spheres. Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Shahadat Hossain, in his opening remarks, highlighted the significance of the exhibition, stating that the events of July-August represent the legacy of 16 years of repression. He also shared that he had freed 80 individuals from fascist control at the National Press Club, although the number of individuals freed from the Chattogram Press Club remains unclear.
AKM Mohsin, the President of Bangladesh Photojournalist Association, spoke as a special guest and expressed deep respect for those who were martyred in the struggle to establish democracy. He also emphasised that forgetting the martyrs of that time would be an injustice to their sacrifice.
Mohammad Hossain, convener of the exhibition, moderated the event, while Bulbul Ahmed, former President of the Photojournalist Association, also spoke at the ceremony. Other notable speakers included Mustafa Nayem, Kaler Kantho Bureau Chief, Shamsul Haque Hydari, NTV Bureau Chief, Osman Gani Mansur, editor of The People's View, Babul Talukder, General Secretary of the Photojournalist Association, and Saleh Noman, General Secretary of the Chattogram Metropolitan Journalists Union.
Nuruddin Ahmed, personal photographer of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, also spoke at the ceremony. He underscored the importance of remembering the sacrifices made during the July Revolution and the need to continue the pursuit of democratic justice.
The 'July Revolution on Camera' photo exhibition serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by the people of Bangladesh in their pursuit of democracy. By preserving these memories through photography, the exhibition ensures that the cost of these struggles is neither forgotten nor ignored. It stands as a powerful visual narrative of Bangladesh’s prolonged repression and the martyrdom that fueled the July Revolution’s pro-democracy uprising.
- The poignant 'July Revolution on Camera' photo exhibition, held in Chattogram, not only illuminates the events of war-and-conflicts but also delves into social-media discussions about crime-and-justice and politics.
- The exhibition's depiction of martyrs and their sacrifices during the July Revolution serves as a testament to the ongoing struggle for democracy, a crucial aspect of general-news discourse in Bangladesh.
- As the event hosted by the Chattogram Press Club concludes, the focus shifts from entertainment to remembering the past, underscoring the importance of understanding the nation's history and the challenges faced during the July-August events.
