Adviser Faruk-e-Azam has stated that there will be no government job quota for participants of the July uprising

No Quota in Government Jobs for July Fighters: Adviser Faruk-e-Azam

Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk-e-Azam Bir Pratik has clarified that there will be no government job quota for those recognised as "July Fighters."

He made the statement during a press conference at the Secretariat on Monday, responding to a journalist's inquiry.

Speculation has been circulating recently that the government may offer housing and job quotas to individuals injured or killed during the July uprising. Addressing this, Faruk-e-Azam said, “Our ministry has prepared a rehabilitation plan for them, but it does not include any housing or job quota provisions.”

He noted that the rehabilitation initiative focuses on providing training and self-employment support tailored to individuals’ skills and needs. Those interested in starting livelihoods in areas such as poultry, livestock, or fisheries will receive assistance from the government, he added.

When asked if July Fighters were being equated with freedom fighters, Faruk-e-Azam firmly dismissed the idea. “No, absolutely not. Freedom fighters are held in the highest regard for their unquestionable contributions. Comparing them to anyone else is inappropriate,” he said.

Another journalist pointed out that July Fighters receive the same Tk20,000 monthly allowance as freedom fighters and questioned whether this blurs the line between the two groups. The adviser did not directly address the comparison, saying only, “It took many freedom fighters 30–35 years to receive allowances, and some were never even officially listed. In contrast, the lists of July martyrs were compiled in 2025.”

Pressed again on whether the government would introduce any employment quota for July Fighters, he replied, “No, absolutely not. They will be eligible for jobs strictly based on merit.”

He went on to provide further administrative updates. The autocratic Awami League regime was overthrown on 5 August following a mass uprising led by students and ordinary citizens protesting injustice and authoritarianism. A caretaker government was formed on 8 August, and the movement was later formally recognised as the “July Uprising.”

On 12 December, the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs was tasked with overseeing the welfare of the wounded and the families of those killed during the uprising.

To manage this responsibility, the “Department of the July Uprising” was established on 28 April. Under the July Uprising Martyrs' Families and July Fighters' Welfare and Rehabilitation Ordinance, 2025, the government officially recognised those killed as “July Martyrs” and the injured as “July Fighters.”

According to the Health Services Division, a gazette notification has already listed 844 martyrs — 834 as of 15 January, with 10 more added by 30 June. On 27 February, 493 individuals were categorised as Class A injured, 908 as Class B, and on 4–5 March, 1,642 were classified as Class C. An additional list identifying 1,769 individuals (114 Class A, 213 Class B, and 1,442 Class C) is currently under review and will be gazetted following verification.