The government has suffered both an ethical and political defeat amidst the ongoing quota reform protests which have now turned into a public uprising, said Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SUJAN).
SUJAN Secretary Badiul Alam Majumder expressed solidarity with the student's demands at a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity's Sagar-Runi Hall on Thursday (1 August).
"The students have been deprived of their rights to government employment without political connections," he said.
He criticised the violation of human rights in universities and the denial of fundamental rights, including voting rights.
Speaking at the event, Professor Robayet Ferdous, from the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Dhaka University, said, "This movement has marked a decisive ethical and political defeat for the government. What transpired in 2024 was a popular uprising. The 1969 uprising resulted in 61 deaths; this time, the number is fourfold. A true uprising involves people from all walks of life, including children, women, journalists, doctors, and engineers."
Referring to the 1952 language movement, in which 12 people lost their lives, Professor Ferdous argued that the current protests should be seen not just as a cultural movement but as a political one.
"The latent anger of the people, accumulated from 1947 to 1952, was expressed by all sectors. The 2024 uprising has already occurred, and its effects continue. This signifies a complete ethical and political failure for the government," Robayet Ferdous said.
The academician further criticised the use of helicopters to disperse protesters with tear gas, sound grenades, and bullets, stating, "Children were killed in their homes; journalists were targeted. If this isn't an uprising, then what is?"
Addressing concerns about the potential return of opposition parties like the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, Professor Ferdous expressed scepticism about their competence, citing past failures.
Supreme Court lawyer and environmentalist Syeda Rizwana Hasan criticised the government's ineffective response to the crisis, suggesting that it merely tried to cover up the issues.
"The wounds inflicted on the nation's heart are deep, and the events surrounding the student protests have affected the entire nation. There is no excuse for the loss of so many lives," she said.
Hasan emphasised the need for accountability, warning that if justice is not served, the concept of justice itself may disappear from Bangladesh.
She urged everyone to demand justice until a transparent and thorough process is ensured internationally.
SUJAN presented several recommendations to resolve the impasse, including:
1. Publishing a detailed list of the deceased.
2. Conducting impartial investigations into all incidents of violence, with an international investigation under UN supervision.
3. Releasing detained student leaders and withdrawing all charges against protesters.
4. Providing financial assistance to the families of the deceased and medical care for the injured.
5. Reopening educational institutions and lifting restrictions on the internet and social media to restore normalcy.
6. Prohibiting the ruling party's student wing from exploiting student accommodations and ensuring transparent seat allocation.
7. Holding regular student union elections in all universities and colleges to promote leadership development.
8. Banning partisan student politics while fostering an environment for independent student movements.
9. Stopping the misuse of law enforcement for political purposes.
10. Prohibiting the use of religion in politics and restoring the secular nature of the constitution.
