People paid their respect to Shaheed Janani Jahanara Imam at the Shahbagh intersection marking her 19th death anniversary on Wednesday.
Shahbagh Ganagajaran Mancha organised the programme by setting up a makeshift pedestal with a photograph of Jahanara Imam at the Prajanma Chattar.
The programme started at 8am when Ganagajaran Mancha activists paid their tributes by placing wreaths at the foot of the pedestal right after it was opened to the public.
Ganajagaran Mancha convener Imran H Sarkar said: “Shaheed Janani Jahanara Imam was the first to raise her voice for the trial of war criminals. But it is a matter of great regret and shame that a sedition case was filed against her.”
Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, Ghatok Dalal Nirmul Committee acting president Shahriar Kabir, sculptress Ferdousi Priovashini among others also paid their respect to Shaheed Janani.
Later, Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front, Blogger and Online Activist Forum, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Gosthi, Khelaghor Ashor, Lalon Charcha Kendro and various cultural and political organisations also paid their homage.
Shahbagh protesters chalked out various programmes to observe the day. They staged a candle-lit vigil at 8pm to start the cultural programme.
Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee honoured Ganajagaran Mancha with "Jahanara Imam Award."
Jahanara Imam was the pivotal point in the formation of Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee which aimed to bring war criminals to justice. She died on June 26, 1994.