Demonstrators have gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar, bringing out processions from various locations in Dhaka to protest against the recent killings, injuries, and arrests of students amid the quota reform movement and to press home their 9-point demands.
On Friday, (2 August), after the Jumu'ah prayer, protest marches from various parts of the capital, including the north gate of Baitul Mukarram, Press Club, Science Lab, and Shahbagh, gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar.
The Shaheed Minar area resounded with anti-government slogans.
Photo: BFirst
From 2 PM, hundreds of students and citizens had already gathered in front of the National Press Club. Participants of the 'Droho Jatra' (Journey of Rebellion) were seen performing various protest songs and reciting poems.
Later, they marched towards the Central Shaheed Minar at around 3:45pm.
Subsequently, groups of protesters continued to arrive at the Shaheed Minar in smaller marches from Shahbagh and the Science Lab intersection.
Photo: BFirst
The platform of the quota reform movement, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, announced a 'Prayer and Mass Rally of Students and Citizens' programme for Friday and called on everyone to participate in the rally.
Their 9-point demand includes the resignation of several ministers, including the Home Minister, the Minister of Road Transport and Bridges, the Education Minister, the State Minister for ICT, and the Law Minister, holding them accountable for all those killed by state forces during the protests.
The students also demanded the resignation of VCs and proctors of all universities, including Dhaka University, Jagannath University, Jahangirnagar University, Rajshahi University, and Chittagong University, where peaceful protests were attacked by law enforcement forces. Additionally, the protesting students have demanded a ban on student politics.
The 9-point demands also include the immediate reopening of all educational institutions and dormitories. They call for lifting the curfew and withdrawing the police, RAB, BGB, SWAT, and army deployed on campuses nationwide.
