Press conference adjourned amid mourning; activists call for immediate humanitarian response and transparency

23 July 2025, New Delhi

Dear Esteemed Members of the International Media, Diplomatic Community, Human Rights Advocates, and Friends of Bangladesh,

We come before you with heavy hearts, carrying the profound sorrow and pain of our nation following the tragic Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crash at Milestone School and College in Diabari, Dhaka. On what should have been an ordinary day, the training jet crashed onto the school grounds, resulting in the deaths and injuries of many innocent children, dedicated teachers, caring guardians, and the young pilot—leaving the community devastated and the nation in mourning.

This horrific incident has come almost immediately after the crackdown and large-scale repression and massacre in Gopalganj district of Bangladesh, carried out by the security forces, directed by the Interim Regime. Following this, the regime has failed to respond to the legitimate grievances of the grieving public and has instead responded with an unprecedented level of violence. A number of deceased and injured remain unaccounted for, and a major public outcry is sweeping Dhaka and the rest of the country. There is an active attempt to cover up the scale of the devastation, which we strongly condemn.

In light of this grave tragedy, the intensifying public outcry, and the continuing inaction of the interim regime—particularly following the Diabari jet crash and the brutal crackdown in Gopalganj—we have now made the difficult decision to adjourn the press conference, which was initially scheduled to proceed as planned. We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause and deeply appreciate your understanding during this period of national mourning in Bangladesh.

We demand:

1. An immediate, independent investigation into the Diabari tragedy to determine the causes, responsibilities, and failures that led to this preventable loss of life.
2. A complete, publicly verified list of the deceased and injured, so families do not face lies and uncertainty during their darkest hour.
3. Immediate medical, financial, and psychological support for survivors and grieving families—not tomorrow, but today.

To the government of Dr. Muhammad Younus, we would like to say: this is not a political issue; it is a human tragedy that demands truth, compassion, and accountability.

We would also like to draw the attention of all attendees that every participant scheduled to meet you and speak at today’s forum has kindly agreed to engage with you individually on a one-to-one basis regarding the issues which were to be addressed at this event. We request you to share your contact details with our on-site volunteers.

Looking ahead, we are committed to continuing our engagement with each of you, as we collectively confront the challenges posed by the brutal, extremist-led regime currently operating in Bangladesh. Your support, solidarity, and active involvement truly matter.

We stand here in solidarity, in grief, in hope. To the families mourning the Diabari children, to the persecuted communities in Gopalganj and across Bangladesh—we hear your cries, we stand beside you, and we will not rest until your pain is honored with truth and justice.

We thank you for your continued support and solidarity with the people of Bangladesh as we stand united in this moment of profound grief. We will share an update on the new date and time for the rescheduled press conference in due course.