Published : 07 Aug 2024, 08:10 AM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 11:43 AM
Protesters have left Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar, calling for the government to step down.
Around 6:15pm on Saturday, thousands of protesters marched from the Shaheed Minar, passing through Dhaka University's Teacher-Student Centre or TSC, and ended their procession at Shahbagh by 7pm.
Earlier at Shaheed Minar, Nahid Islam, a key coordinator of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, announced in a press briefing that their nine-point demand has now evolved into a single demand: the resignation of the government.
He declared that they will launch a non-cooperation movement on Sunday and hold protests and sit-ins nationwide.
“We urge the public to join a full-scale non-cooperation movement. Do not support this murderous government.
“If the internet is shut down or curfews and emergencies are declared, we will encircle Ganabhaban and oust [Prime Minister] Sheikh Hasina if necessary,” said Nahid.
Addressing security forces, he said: “We call on all security personnel, including the army and government officials, to defy any orders from a government that stands against the people. We will seek justice for all mass murders on this land. We declare the abolition of the government and its fascist regime. We call for a student-citizen uprising.”
Nahid added that not only Hasina but the entire cabinet must resign.
“We need to dismantle this fascist regime and establish a Bangladesh where fascism and autocracy will never return.”
He said the corruption, looting, and mass killings by Hasina’s government would be addressed.
“We will ensure justice for all past murders, disappearances, and oppression. All political prisoners must be freed, and we will bring our brothers back from prison if necessary.”
Nahid urged the public to join the movement spontaneously and organise at the local level.
“We will soon announce a united front with student and citizen organisations and professional groups for a student-citizen uprising. We will present a blueprint for the future of Bangladesh through discussions.”
Earlier, the movement coordinators had announced a gathering at Shaheed Minar for 3pm on Saturday.
By afternoon, a sea of people could be seen attending the rally called by the Anti-discrimination Student Movement. So many people had gathered together that there was little space to move. Heads stretched out as far as the eye can see, many wrapped in different coloured cloth.
Parents, guardians, friends, loved ones, and family members joined the students’ rally.
