When the whole city was celebrating Valentine’s Day, yesterday, a group of youths gathered at Central Shaheed Minar to go on a hunger strike against the mindless killing of innocent people in political violence.
Abdus Sattar Khan Babu, a social and online activist, sent out the call for hunger strike through Facebook and blogs. Though many people expressed solidarity online, only a few showed up at the actual event, which was held from 10am to 5pm.
The group had no banner, placard or any publicity for their activity. They also had no support from any civil society or political platform. All they had was a conscience of uniting against killing innocent people.
“We have decided to observe hunger strike at several places of the country to protest against burning and killing people in the name of politics,” he said.
“Our next programme will be held at Central Shaheed Minar again on February 27, on March 1 in Chittagong, March 2 in Cox’s Bazaar and March 5 in Comilla,” he added.
Earlier on February 12, Sattar and some of his fellows brought out a procession from Elenga Gyankunja Pathagar of Tangail to Maulana Bhasani’s graveyard protesting the killings. Many general people also joined the procession.