Protesters In Dhaka Seek Proclamation On July Uprising, Call For A Bangladesh Free From Foreign Intimidation

Thousands of protesters gathered in Dhaka on Tuesday (31 December) to demand justice for victims of the July mass uprising, which not only claimed over 600 lives.

Organised by Students Against Discrimination, the demonstrations emphasised the loss of lives during the protests that resulted in ousting of Sheikh Hasina.

The "March for Unity," starting at the Central Shaheed Minar, opened with a minute of silence to honour the victims of the July protests.

"We still do not have a document of proclamation on the July mass uprising. It must be issued by 15 January. That day we want to reunite here with the proclamation," said Hasnat Abdullah, convener of Students Against Discrimination.

He accused the Muhammad Yunus led interim government of conspiracy and suppression.

"Our struggle against fascism and the Awami League will continue. Many couldn't accept our uprising, and that is why there are conspiracies afoot at the Secretariat, in the police, and even in the courts," Abdullah added.

The Jatiya Nagorik Committee, another prominent group, echoed these demands while linking them to broader societal grievances.

"We want a new Bangladesh that will not tolerate any intimidation by any country; we want a country without any tender manipulation and extortion. We want the government to immediately bring the Awami League and Sheikh Hasina to book," said the committee’s convener, Nasiruddin Patwary.

Arif Sohel, member secretary of Students Against Discrimination, outlined the uprising’s goals.

"We learned from the uprising that the meaning of independence is the rights of farmers-labours, the basic human rights of all people, their right to food, education, and health. All these should be in the proclamation," he said.

The July protests, which began as a student-led movement against the 30 per cent quota system in government jobs for veterans’ relatives, quickly spiralled into a broader demand for systemic reform.

Police and pro-government forces launched violent crackdowns, with protesters alleging that many victims were deliberately targeted during the chaos.

The protesters later turned violent and after ouster of Sheikh Hasina, many of her supporters were targeted.

The violent protesters also targeted Hindu minorities, with multiple reports of attacks on their homes, temples after Sheikh Hasina's removal.

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