Student activists slap President Shahabuddin with 24-hour deadline to resign

Security beefed up as crowds continue to surround the Bangabhaban demanding his resignation

Students are protesting in front of Bangabhaban, demanding President Mohammed Shahabuddin’s resignation.

They have been rallying at the intersection outside the Rajdhani Unnayan Katripakkha, or RAJUK, since Tuesday afternoon.

The crowd of students gathered outside are calling on the head of state to resign within 24 hours.

Members of ‘Roktim July 24’, an organisation for the injured students of the movement, have been chanting slogans.

Law-enforcing agencies have beefed up security throughout the Bangabhaban area.

In addition to police, water cannons, and some members of the army have also taken position there.

Besides ‘Roktim July 24’, members of Swadhin Sharbobhoumotto Rokkha Committee are also demanding the resignation of the president alongside students.

The general public have also surrounded the Bangabhaban premises demanding the same.

Emdad Babu, a representative of the student crowd gathered in front of the Bangabhaban, gave an ultimatum for the president to resign within the next 24 hours.

He also referred to the president as an ally of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

“We are tested soldiers, front-line warriors. We have lost our arms, legs and eyes while fighting. We are ready to lose another arm, leg, and eye if required,” said Babu.

The protesters have also demanded the abolition of the Constitution, formation of a revolutionary national government, and the banning of 14-party including the Awami League.

After the president reportedly claimed in an interview that he has no documentary proof of Hasina’s resignation, Law Advisor Asif Nazrul called it a ‘lie’.

Later, a statement issued by the Bangabhaban's Press Wing on Monday quoted him as asking everyone to refrain from ‘destabilising or embarrassing’ the interim government by creating any dispute.

He urged the public to avoid creating a fresh controversy over an issue that has already been settled.

PROTEST AT SHAHEED MINAR: 5-POINT CHARTER OF DEMANDS

Students gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar, where on behalf of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, coordinator Hasanat Abdullah presented a five-point list of demands.

The demonstration began at 3pm on Wednesday, as protesters carrying banners gathered to voice their calls for the president to step down.

After a rally, participants marched around the Dhaka University campus, concluding their demonstration at the base of the Raju Sculpture by 5pm.

Protesters attended with banners from the Anti-discrimination Doctors and Student Council, Jatiya Nagorik Committee, and Anti-discrimination Student Movement, among others.

Abdul Hannan Masud, the central coordinator of the movement, said Chhatra League must be banned as a criminal organisation by Thursday, highlighting that those responsible for fatalities should not be allowed to participate in politics.

He said, “We initiated our revolution from this Shaheed Minar. The fascist Hasina fled Bangladesh out of fear of that revolution. Now, as president, you are betraying the people. What you said on the 5th of August, now you are speaking differently—under whose command have you forgotten that?"

“Let us be clear: just as the murderer Hasina fled, the president must also flee. Revolutionaries will always be on the ground for the sake of the nation and the people," he added.

Hasanat said, "From the same Shaheed Minar where we raised our one-point demand, we now present a five-point list of demands."

The five-point list of demands is as follows:

• The current constitution must be abolished immediately, and a new one drafted based on the 2024 mass uprising.

• Chhatra League must be permanently banned as a terrorist organisation by this week.

• President Shahabuddin must resign within the week.

• A ‘Proclamation of Republic’ must be declared within this week, reflecting the July revolution. Bangladesh will operate based on the views of active democratic political parties.

• The 2014, 2018, and 2024 national elections must be declared illegal, with the elected individuals' assets confiscated, and they must be legally barred from participating in future elections.

"If our five demands are not met within this week, we will return to the streets," Hasnat said.