DU Correspondent :
Students across the country observed the first day of the newly launched programme, ‘Resistance Week,’ as part of the anti-discrimination students’ movement.
The seven-day initiative began on Tuesday, following an earlier decision by the movement’s leaders.
On Tuesday afternoon, students marched to locations where people and fellow students were attacked and killed during the recent quota reform movement. As a mark of respect, they observed a minute’s silence in honour of the martyrs before concluding the day’s programme.
Late on the night of August 12, Abu Baker Mojumder, one of the coordinators of the student platform, called on students nationwide to begin their march at 3 pm on Tuesday.
In Dhaka, students from Dhaka University (DU) gathered in front of the Raju Sculpture Memorial on campus and proceeded to march, chanting various slogans, including “We want the death penalty, death penalty for killer Hasina.”
Referring to the former Prime Minister as “Killer Hasina,” the protesters demanded that she face trial and to be sentenced to death for the alleged mass killing of students and civilians during the recent quota reform movement.
Abdul Hannan Masud, another coordinator of the movement, addressed the gathering, stating, “The Awami League is now plotting a counter-revolution in various ways after the fascist Sheikh Hasina fell from power and fled the country. But the students will stop this conspiracy of the murderers. And for this, we will be vigilant in the field with various programs throughout the week.”
The protesting students also issued a four-point demand, calling for the formation of a special tribunal to bring Hasina and her collaborators to justice. They also demanded action against members of the Awami League, Chhatra League, and Jubo League who, they claim, are attempting to create chaos by attacking Hindu communities and vandalising their homes to discredit the student movement.