Dhaka, August 3: BNP Standing Committee member and Social Welfare Minister Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain on Monday called for national unity to uphold the spirit of the July uprising, saying the movement represented a struggle for justice, people’s rights and a discrimination-free Bangladesh.Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled “Bloodied July: Expectations of the Nation” organised by Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh at the Jatiya Press Club, he said citizens should avoid division and conflict and work together to build the country.Dr Zahid said the core values of the July uprising were justice, human dignity, human values and the establishment of a humane society. He urged all political, social and religious groups to maintain dialogue, mutual respect and cooperation in the national interest.Speakers at the event warned that continued political division, rivalry and confrontation could create opportunities for authoritarian tendencies to return, threatening the country’s independence, sovereignty and progress.They called for proper state recognition of those killed during the July movement and urged effective measures for the treatment, rehabilitation and welfare of injured protesters and their families.The speakers also demanded speedy implementation of the July Charter through consensus among all stakeholders to establish a just, accountable and welfare-oriented state.In his presidential speech, Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh Senior Vice President Maulana Abdur Rauf Yusufee said they did not want Dr Muhammad Yunus to become the president of Bangladesh. He also said they opposed dominance by any foreign power and wanted all influential countries to remain friends of Bangladesh rather than act as masters.