Cabinet members today slammed the opposition and cautioned all parties not to exploit the July mass uprising for personal or partisan gains.

Speaking during the debate on the motion of thanks to the president’s address, they stressed that the July uprising was not a sudden event but the culmination of years of anger, movements, and resistance against the autocratic Sheikh Hasina regime.

Ministers also called for unity, warning that attempts to politicise historic struggles would only deepen divisions.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon said that until Awami League addresses the bloodstains of July, the debate will not be resolved.

“Likewise, until Jamaat-e-Islami takes an acceptable position on the question of the 1971 genocide, the controversy regarding them will continue,” he said.

Calling the 13th National Parliament “a historical exception,” the minister said, “Previously, politics was largely confined to a two-party structure. But this time, the voting statistics and the composition of parliament reflect a different reality.”

He said whenever Jamaat contested independently, their vote share never exceeded five percent.

“If we look at voting data and the composition of this parliament, we cannot say where the supporters of fascism have cast their votes. The magical numbers of this election deserve research,” he added.

Referring to Jamaat’s past role, he said, “As the leading party of the 11-party alliance, Jamaat and its allies must remember that they opposed the great Liberation War of 1971. Even now, many of their speeches declare they want to establish Sharia law.”

Addressing the opposition, he said, “Please try to remain constructive.”

Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman remarked that Jamaat-e-Islami did not, in effect, oppose the passage of the Jatiya Muktijoddha Council bill that had established who had opposed Bangladesh’s war for independence in 1971.

He explained that the definition of “Bir Muktijoddha” (valiant freedom fighter) in the 2026 bill includes those who fought against the Pakistani occupation forces and their local collaborators -- namely the then Muslim League, Jamaat-e-Islami, Nezame Islami, and the auxiliary forces Al-Badr, Al-Shams and Razakars.

“By operation of law and interpretation, it is now established who opposed the 1971 war of independence, who were involved in killings, disappearances, rapes and in taking countless Bangladeshi lives,” the law minister said.

“During election campaign, I heard with my own ears that someone was selling tickets to heaven,” he added.

State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, Anindya Islam Amit, said that the body language of opposition members sometimes frightens him, adding that such intense agitation is not good for health. He added that President Mohammed Shahbuddin was appointed during Awami League rule, but it was encouraging that he acknowledged the contributions of Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman.

State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare Nurul Haque Nur said just as some groups tried to monopolise the Liberation War narrative, some have attempted to exploit the July movement during the interim government.

Calling for an end to propaganda about the July uprising, Nurul Haque said, “Our young friends may not know how many lives were lost in the struggle we waged and the sacrifices we made. They may think it was like a 90-minute football match where someone scored in five minutes, and imagine that we were the star players.”

State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin said, “One party sold the spirit of the Liberation War in the past. Now another party is putting the spirit of the July uprising up for sale.”

Referring to the July mass uprising, Health Minister Mohammad Sakhawat Hussain said it was the result of years of accumulated anger, movements and resistance.

“A volcanic eruption does not occur in a single day, so the July revolution too was not born overnight,” he said.

Addressing the opposition, the minister said the government was showing tolerance in the interest of the country, but needless provocation was unacceptable.

He cautioned that while unity should be emphasised in parliament, statements that deepen division should not be made.

Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon injected humour into his remarks. He outlined various government initiatives for improving education, and at the end of his speech turned directly to students: “To my beloved golden children, I say -- how are you? Are you studying? You must study. Cheating, question leaks, and fraud will no longer be tolerated.”

His words drew laughter from many MPs in the chamber.

Among others, Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita, Post and Telecommunication Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam, Culture Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Aazam Khan and State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraq Hossain, also took part in the discussion.