Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram has addressed former Prime Minister and Awami League (currently banned from political activities) leader Sheikh Hasina, who has been in India since leaving office following the 2024 student-led mass uprising, saying, “We are waiting for you. Return to Bangladesh, and we will meet. Insha’Allah, on the streets.”

He made the remarks on Wednesday (5 August) while speaking as the chief guest at a reception and discussion marking July Uprising Day 2026, held at the China-Bangladesh Friendship Exhibition Center in Agargaon, Dhaka, in honor of the families of those killed and the injured participants of the July uprising.

The Acting President said that ensuring the welfare of the families of those who lost their lives and providing treatment and rehabilitation for those injured during the July uprising is the government’s most important and sacred responsibility.

“The government’s foremost duty is to stand beside the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in July. It is also our sacred responsibility to ensure proper treatment and rehabilitation for those who were injured, lost their eyesight, or suffered permanent disabilities,” he said.

Addressing the audience, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said, “We are the government elected by you. If we make mistakes, please correct us. We can never become the Awami League, nor do we want to.”

Criticizing the Awami League, he said, “They have shown no remorse despite allegations of injustice, killings, enforced disappearances, money laundering, repression, and the so-called ‘Aynaghar’ torture cells. Yet they continue to say they will return to the country in December.”

Reflecting on his own experience, the Acting President added, “I fought in the Liberation War at the age of 27. Now, at the age of 82, I am still ready to serve Bangladesh. We are committed to making democracy and the rule of the people permanent in this country. I shed blood for Bangladesh in 1971—not to see a country like this.”