Calls from the 'March for Unity': Advocate for justice and implement reforms prior to the election

On the final afternoon of 2024, thousands of students and members of the public convened at Dhaka’s central Shaheed Minar for a rally in response to a call by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the Nagorik Committee. The event, named the March for Unity, saw participants from across the nation gathering in solidarity.

Key Demands and Themes
During the rally, held on Tuesday afternoon, the leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the Nagorik Committee outlined four major demands:

1. The interim government must release the July Uprising Proclamation, based on national consensus, by 15 January.
2. Sheikh Hasina must be returned to the country to stand trial.
3. A judicial ban must be imposed on the Bangladesh Awami League.
4. No elections should take place until necessary reforms are implemented.

Participants, arriving from early morning, included students, professionals, and individuals from diverse backgrounds. By noon, thousands had filled the Shaheed Minar area, traveling through central Dhaka streets like Nilkhet, Palashi, and Shahbagh. Digital screens broadcast the event to accommodate the swelling crowds, while drones captured aerial views.

Symbolic Start and Emotional Speeches
The programme began at 4:00 pm with a minute of silence honoring the martyrs of the July Uprising. Family members of victims shared their grief and demanded justice. Md. Abul Hasan, father of martyr Shahriar Hasan Alvi, expressed his anguish, calling for Sheikh Hasina to face the death penalty for her alleged role in the violence. Others, including injured protestors, demanded recognition, medical care, and accountability for those responsible for the bloodshed.

Voices of Determination
Leaders emphasized unity against fascism and the urgency of institutional reforms. The convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Hasnat Abdullah, declared, “We have no enemies in Bangladesh after 5 August—our only enemy is the Awami League.” He urged the interim government to stabilize prices, restore law and order, and issue the July Uprising Proclamation by the stipulated date.

Umama Fatema, spokesperson for the movement, insisted, “There will be no election before the Awami League is tried.” Other speakers stressed the importance of dismantling corruption, liberating institutions, and holding judicial elections for student parliaments.

A New Beginning
Members of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee reiterated their call for a new constitution and institutional reform. They warned the government against delaying justice, emphasizing the sacrifices made during the uprising.

The rally concluded with participants taking an oath to continue their struggle for justice and reform, with leaders vowing to reconvene on 15 January if their demands remain unmet.