Dhaka, Feb 14 (bdnews24.com) — Student and cultural organisations of Dhaka have observed the day marking the first instance of protest against Ershad's autocratic regime.
On Feb 14, 1983, the deposed military dictator Ershad's government brutally cracked down on students protesting against its new education policy.
The movement was led by 'Chhatra Shangram Parishad' (Students' Movement Council), demanding withdrawal of the education policy, release of political and resumption of fundamental democratic rights. The day saw 10 students killed.
'Chhatra Shangram Parishad', now an inactive organisation, claimed that the number of deaths was 49.
'Pragatir Paribrajak Dal' (Prapad), Progressive Students' Front, Socialist Students' Front, Bangladesh Students' Union, Bangladesh Shwadhin Chalachitra Andolan held separate programmes marking the occasion.
BSU laid flowers in front of the Education Building at 9am where a students' procession was fired upon by the police.
Prapad organised a discussion rally and cultural event in front of Dhaka University's Arts Building. One of three student leaders arrested early in the movement, convenor of Naya Ganatantrik Ganamorcha Shibli Qayum said, "We had struggled against military autocracy to establish a democratic government."
"But democratic autocracy has not ended. Democratic governments are also keen on stopping students' peoples' movement."
Progressive Students' Front, Socialist Students' Front held a rally in Dhaka University campus to mark the day.
Students' Federation organised a photography exhibition in front of DUCSU.
Rafiqul Hassan, a former student of Dhaka University and former activist of 'Chhatra Oikko Forum', told bdnews24.com, "The student movement of the 1990s is a crucial part of our post-independence history. The present democratic environment is a fruit of those sacrifices."
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