Abu Jakir :
The sun set over Dhanmondi-32 last night, casting long shadows over a place that has been central to Bangladesh’s history for decades. This was no ordinary August 15—no somber gathering of leaders to lay wreaths, no controlled displays of grief. Instead, hundreds of students filled the streets, candles in hand, in a vigil that signaled not just remembrance, but defiance.
August 15 has long been etched into the national consciousness as the day Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh, was assassinated along with most of his family in 1975.
For the past 15 years, during Sheikh Hasina’s rule, the day has been observed as National Mourning Day, a moment for the Awami League to honor the legacy of its patriarch. But this year, with Sheikh Hasina deposed in what many now refer to as the “July Revolution,” the day took on a new significance.
As the clock struck midnight, the scene at Dhanmondi-32—Bangabandhu’s former residence—was surreal. Hundreds of students from various universities, who had been the vanguard of the protests that ousted Sheikh Hasina, gathered silently. The flicker of candlelight lit up their faces, a somber tribute to the over 400 lives lost in recent weeks, many of them young protesters like themselves.
“This is a signal to the remnants of a fascist autocratic regime that we remain vigilant,” said Abu Hamza Tareq, a student from a private university. “The Awami League, despite their disgraceful fall from power, is still trying to create chaos and destabilize the country.”
Indeed, in the days leading up to this charged anniversary, rumors swirled across social media that the Awami League might attempt a “counterrevolution” to destabilize the new interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Sheikh Hasina’s son, who has been living in the United States, emerged as a vocal figure in the aftermath of his mother’s ousting. In interviews with Indian media, Joy has insisted that the Awami League “remains a party of the people” and has called on party members to regroup.
In her first statement since being removed from power, Sheikh Hasina urged her supporters to lay floral wreaths at the portrait of her father at Bangabandhu Bhaban in Dhanmondi, echoing a tradition that had been carefully observed during her years in office. Reports indicated that Awami League activists had been instructed to gather in Dhaka, setting the stage for a potential showdown.
But the mood on the ground on Thursday was far from orderly mourning. By morning, Dhanmondi-32 was a scene of tension and confrontation. Hundreds of students, alongside general citizens, stood guard, carrying sticks and pipes.
They were suspicious of anyone who appeared to be an Awami League supporter, often stopping and questioning passersby. Media personnel were also obstructed, with loudspeaker announcements warning them against taking photos.
Reporters at the scene witnessed a moment of chaos when a man, presumably an Awami League sympathizer, was identified by the crowd. He was quickly dragged toward a group of army personnel, with students shouting at each other not to resort to violence. “Don’t hit him! Hand him over to the army,” one person was heard yelling.
