Students Demand Govt Resignation in Massive Dhaka Rally

News Desk 

Islamabad: A mass gathering of Students Against Discrimination has now issued a single demand for the resignation of the government. 

Nahid Islam, the coordinator of the student group behind the quota reform protests, made the announcement at a rally held at the central Shaheed Minar on the Dhaka University campus on Saturday.

At around 5:30 pm, Islam addressed the crowd through a megaphone, stating, “We have decided on a one-point demand to ensure the safety of human life and to establish justice in society. Our demand is the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the current government, as well as the abolition of fascism.”

Islam emphasized their vision for a new Bangladesh free from dictatorship and fascism, announcing, “On behalf of the Students Against Discrimination, we will form a platform in coordination with student organizations, professionals, and people from all walks of life. We will present a national roadmap for the future of Bangladesh after consulting with everyone.”Islam called for not only the resignation of Sheikh Hasina but the entire cabinet, declaring, “The fascist government must be dismantled. We want to create a political environment in Bangladesh that prevents future autocracy and fascism.”

He urged for a mass uprising and called on people to join the protests, beginning with non-cooperation from the following day. He asked people to unite in their local areas against the current government.

The student protests began on July 1 with demands for changes in the government job quota system. The situation escalated after a deadly clash on July 16, which resulted in six deaths.

The movement has since gained momentum, with 215 reported deaths in subsequent clashes and thousands of injuries. Initially, the protesters presented a nine-point demand, but further repression led to a unified call for the government’s resignation.

A nationwide demonstration program has been organized for today, with the main gathering at Shaheed Minar on the Dhaka University campus. 

According to three Prothom Alo correspondents at the scene, protesters began arriving in groups around 2:30 pm, chanting various anti-government slogans. The crowd continued to expand into adjacent areas over the following hours, with participants from diverse backgrounds joining the protests.