Protesters have demanded immediate arrest of the killers of blogger and writer Avijit Roy.
Protesting the killing, People from various social, cultural, and political spheres, including different student organisations, DU teachers, journalists and writers gathered near the Raju Bhaskarja at Dhaka University around 11:15am on Friday.
They said the attack was aimed at freedom of speech and democracy.
Speaking about Humayun Azad, Rajib Haider and others who were similarly killed by fundamentalists and militants, the speakers said the attack was the result of "an unacceptable failure of the government and the state."
The writer was hacked to death by unidentified miscreants at the TSC roundabout on Dhaka University campus on Thursday night. His wife Rafida Ahmed Bonna was also severely injured in the attack.
The speakers said Avijit was killed only because none of the previous murders have been tried.
Human rights activist Dr Hameeda Hossain said: "It is very frustrating that police and people witnessing the incident did not come forward to help Avijit and his wife."
She also stressed the need for united resistance in order to avoid repetition of such brutal attacks.
Journalist Kamal Lohani said: “Now the task for all of us is to raise resistance against these criminals who perpetrated the heinous act.
“It is a surprise how it could take place before the eye of the law enforcers when they had already boosted security in that area.”
Professor Anwar Hossain said: “There must be a link between the ongoing anarchy in the name of BNP-Jamaat's strike with the attack. The government cannot avoid its responsibility as it has failed to try similar crimes before.”
Professor MM Akash said the evil force is actively working against free thinkers, and trying to subvert against the free thoughts which come mainly through writings.
Human rights activist Khushi Kabir said the masterminds behind such heinous killings want to resist free thinking, independence and a democratic atmosphere.
“Using religion in the attempt to resist free thinking will not be accepted,” she said.
Khushi questioned the responsibility of police on duty who were reportedly seen inactive during the attack.
Democratic left alliance and Ganashanhati Andolon Coordinator Jonayed Saki said, “Such heinous attack and killings raise questions on whether the state can ensure a citizen’s security. This is not the first time a writer has been attacked in such way and these attacks continue as previous incidents did not see justice.”
“How can such attacks ensue amid tight security?” Saki questioned and demanded immediate arrest of attackers.
International Crimes Tribunal prosecutor Rana Das Gupta said the on-duty police members must be brought to book as they were careless.
He demanded exemplary and immediate punishment of the attackers.
DU Professor Robayet Ferdous urged for an impartial investigation of the attack immediately.
DU Professor Shafiul Alam Bhuiyan and left-leaning student organisations including Chhatra Union, Chhatra Federation and Chhatra Front were present at the protest.
The Centre for Inquiry, a US-based nonprofit group Roy wrote for, said it was “shocked and heartbroken” by the murder.
“Dr Roy was a true ally, a courageous and eloquent defender of reason, science and free expression, in a country where those values have been under heavy attack,” it said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Gonojagoron Moncho activists also staged a protest in front of the National Museum in Shahbagh.
Imran H Sarkar said the nation lost another great child to the militants.
Students' Federation is set to bring out a torch procession in the evening, protesting the killing, said Refat Salam, political affairs secretary at the organisation's Dhaka city unit.