A group of people holding placards, with visible disgust on their faces, was seen yesterday walking quietly along the pavement from the FDC intersection towards the Dhaka University campus.
Coming from all walks of life, they marched to the Shaheed Minar under a common banner, demanding a stop to the killing of ordinary people in political violence.
“We don’t understand the ruling party or the opposition, the responsibility for the killings lies equally with both parties” read one placard. Another said: “People’s Republic of Bangladesh, NOT Kingdom of Bangladesh”.
The protest event was organised by Otishtho Jonogon (frustrated public) through a post on Facebook on Saturday night.
“We are falling victim to the fight between political parties. Killing people cannot be a way to do politics,” Moin Hassan Prince, a participant, said.
Sishir Das, another student, was walking near Suhrawardy Udyan when he saw the procession and joined in. A new voter this year, Sishir said he would put his mark alongside “no vote”, or just spoil his ballot paper.
Along with many other protesters, he expressed raw hatred towards Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia, who head the country’s two main parties, saying they were not “people-friendly.” He also criticised Jatiya Party chief HM Ershad, calling him “the third billy goat.”
AKM Golam Kibria, a private university student, said he could not attend half of his classes due to political violence.
“We cannot attend classes because of political violence, although we are required to attend at least 75% of classes to sit the exams,” he said.
Syed Hasibuddin Hussain, a garment factory owner, said: “We have to come forward to let the politicians know that we, the people, do exist.”
“We are disgusted by all these political activities. There is no guarantee that we will not face the same fate as the burn victims,” said Rowshon Akter Shuvo, who joined the procession near Bangla Motor.
Two of the participants later went to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital to express their solidarity with the victims of the latest firebomb attacks.
Kawsar Morol, a National University student who came from Gazipur, said it was all about ensuring one’s “security and the certainty of returning home without facing an unnatural death”.
At the start of the procession the peaceful protesters were stopped by police near the Hatir Jheel-FDC intersection. They were later permitted to go ahead.
“We have orders from high-ups to look into the matter. We will allow them to proceed after confirmation from the authorities concerned,” Md Selim Mia of Ramna police said earlier.
Rushad Faridi, a university teacher, said Bangladesh was becoming a “police state.”
“We do not need to chant slogans as we are holding placards. We are doing it peacefully,” he said.
