Bangladesh is witnessing renewed protests over the death of 200-odd people during the anti-quota agitation in the country.
On Saturday (3rd August), protestors hit the major streets in Dhaka and set up blockades. This resulted in traffic snarls in various parts of the city.
Forced by circumstances, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called for a meeting with the senior teachers, college principals and the Vice-Chancellors of public and private universities in Bangladesh.
#Bangladesh Thousands rallied, chanting, “One point, one demand: Sheikh Hasina’s resignation!”
— Redwan Ahmed (@redwanxyz) August 3, 2024
People didn’t hide behind ambiguity; they weren’t afraid of brute force or the consequences. As if they shattered all walls of fear. pic.twitter.com/KsMbaHmvBp
Her appeal to student leaders for a discussion on the ongoing unrest has fallen on deaf ears. On Friday (2nd August), she announced, “I am saying again, they (student leaders) can come to me for talks if they want they can bring with them their guardians as well anytime.”
“The door of Ganabhaban is open (for them)…I want to listen to them. I do not want conflict,” Sheikh Hasina further emphasised. The protestors not only turned down her request but actively demanded her resignation.
Besides anti-government sloganeering and violent clashes with law enforcement authorities, the protests have announced that they will kickstart a civil disobedience movement from Sunday (4th August) onwards.
Bangladesh is on the eve of an insurrection. In some places the police have been over-run. In Rangpur, some have joined in.
— Fiona Lali (@fiona_lali) August 3, 2024
The student movement is calling for an all out general strike and mass civil disobedience as of tomorrow.
বাংলাদেশের শ্রমিকেরা নেমে আসুন, নেমে পড়ুন -… pic.twitter.com/fItRVZ0re5
The coordinated campaign for all-out non-cooperation is being led by a group dubbed the ‘Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.’
While speaking about the matter, a prominent protestor Nahid Islam remarked, “We announce the abolition of the government and the fascist regime. That’s why we call for a student uprising. We want to build a Bangladesh where autocracy will never return. Our sole demand is the resignation of this government, including Sheikh Hasina, and the end of fascism.”
A day earlier on Friday (2nd August), two people were killed and 150 others were left injured during violent clashes with law enforcement authorities in Bangladesh.
