The government has designated Tuesday, August 5 as a public holiday to officially commemorate the anniversary of the student-led July Uprising of the previous year.

This decision, first announced on June 26, is part of the state’s expanded calendar of national observances. In the same declaration, August 5 was named “July Uprising Day”, while August 8 was declared “New Bangladesh Day”, marking the establishment of the interim government following the fall of the former administration.

National Commemorations Underway

A 36-day commemorative program, which began on July 1, is currently being held nationwide in the lead-up to the August 5 observance. A 36-member coordination committee has been tasked with organizing and overseeing these events.

The main celebration on August 5 is scheduled to take place at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka, where a day-long series of cultural and public events will unfold.

The day’s proceedings will commence at 11:00 AM with cultural performances, speeches, and community gatherings to reflect on the events of July 2024. The focal point of the day will be the formal recitation of the July Declaration at 5:00 PM, followed by a headline musical performance by popular rock band Artcell at 8:00 PM.

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs is leading the initiative, in partnership with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and with logistical assistance from the Bangladesh National Parliament Secretariat.

Closures and Service Interruptions

In observance of the holiday, Bangladesh Bank has instructed that all commercial banks will remain closed for the day. In-person banking services—including cheque clearing—will not be available, although digital services such as ATMs and mobile banking platforms will continue to operate.

All non-bank financial institutions, including leasing firms and microcredit providers, will also suspend operations for the day.

According to the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), both the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) will remain closed on August 5, with no trading activity scheduled.

All government, semi-government, and autonomous bodies will observe the closure, while private sector employers may choose to follow suit at their discretion.