Thousands of people took to the streets on Thursday to participate in the “Shahidi March”, organized by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, marking the one-month anniversary of the ouster of the Awami League government during the students' uprising.
The march began at 3:45pm from Dhaka University's Raju Sculpture and reached Manik Mia Avenue at 5pm, passing through Nilkhet and Mirpur Road.
The participants halted near the Sangsad Bhaban for about 20 minutes before continuing towards Shaheed Minar via Farmgate, where the event was set to conclude.
Students from various educational institutions, along with ordinary citizens and several student organizations, joined the march. Madrasa students were also part of the procession.
Regarding this March Co-ordinator Sarjis Alam stated that they have conducted this “Shahidi March” to remember their brothers who gave their lives to create the new Bangladesh that we got through the August 5 student uprising. On this march we want to remember our martyred brothers and say only one thing, we will be ready to give our lives again to hold and maintain the spirit with which we fought on blood."
Expatriate freedom fighter Farhad Ahmed came with his family to the "Shahidi March".
He compared the march of the students to the post-independence period and called upon the people of the country to be united.
He said the scene of people being united is very positive. Such an initiative has come to this twenty-fourth year after seventy-two years.
“First of all, we need unity. We are a political party. We must remain united no matter what,” said Farhad.
Concerning the rise of future fascists he stated: "We want to make it clear from our place that if a fascist like Hasina makes the slightest attempt to sit in this Bangladesh in the future, the students of Bangladesh will unite and resist this fascist who has taken a new form. This sea-stream of lakhs of students today proves that the revolution dyed in the blood of martyrs can never go in vain."
Dr Sadik working at Suhrawardy Medical College brought his one-year-old child to the program.
He stated: "Our freedom of expression was greatest during the dictatorship. Come to this march today in memory of those whose sacrifices I can express today."
Martyrs have given their blood for a country where everyone will have freedom of expression. They dreamed of a state where there would be no corruption and discrimination.
Asked whether that dream will be realized, Barkat Ullah Helal, an employee of a private company, said: "Government has to be given time. Sixteen years of anarchy and corruption cannot be ended in a month. Our common people must help the government at least for a few days."
The central coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement led the march, with law enforcement vehicles at the forefront for security.
Participants wore Bangladeshi flags on their heads and carried sticks with the flag. Many held placards featuring images of martyrs. Chants demanding justice for the students killed during the uprising were heard, including calls for the execution of Sheikh Hasina. Other slogans included “Our martyrs, our strength” and “The war is not over.”
Students from institutions such as Tejgaon College, Birshreshtha Munshi Abdur Rouf Public College, Mohammadpur Government College, Nurjahan Begum High School, Government Commerce College, United International University, Dhaka Imperial College, Atish Dipankar University, Manarat International University, and Makjalul Uloom Madrasah in Khilgaon, participated in the procession.