The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has announced a single demand for the government's resignation.

On Saturday, at a rally of thousands of people at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital, Nahid Islam, a coordinator from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, made this announcement.

Around 5:30 PM, Nahid Islam told the assembled crowd through the microphone, "We have reached a decision on a single demand to ensure the safety of people's lives and establish justice in society.”

“This demand is the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the fall of this government, along with the abolition of fascism," he added.

Nahid further stated, "From the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, we will soon form a united front for a student-citizen uprising in collaboration with citizens from all levels, student organizations, and all professional groups. Through discussions with everyone, we will present the future national blueprint for Bangladesh to the public."

"Not only Sheikh Hasina but the entire government, including the cabinet, must resign. This fascist regime must be abolished. We want to build Bangladesh and create a political system where no form of autocracy or fascism can return," said Nahid.

Nahid called on people to join the spontaneous student-citizen uprising and to organize in their neighborhoods and localities. He also announced a comprehensive non-cooperation movement starting tomorrow.

Students began an ongoing protest demanding quota reform in government jobs from July 1. On July 16, clashes resulted in six deaths. Since then, the movement has intensified. To date, 216 people have been killed in clashes and conflicts, and many others have been injured.

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement had previously issued nine demands regarding the casualties. Now, a single demand has been highlighted.

Today, at the Central Shaheed Minar, at least six coordinators were present in the front row: Nahid Islam, Sarjis Alam, Hasanat Abdullah, Asif Mahmud, Abu Bakar Majumdar, and Abdul Kader. Among them, Nahid and two others gave speeches.

On Saturday, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement held nationwide protest marches. A call for a comprehensive non-cooperation movement has been issued starting Sunday.

Tens of thousands gather at Shaheed Minar

For today’s program, students and the general public gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar area from various parts of the capital with protest marches.

Protesters began to gather in groups at the Shaheed Minar after 2:30 PM. As time went on, the number of demonstrators increased. The area around the Shaheed Minar and its surroundings were so crowded that there was no space left to move.

In addition to the Shaheed Minar, students and the general public have assembled in various locations across Dhaka. Clashes have occurred in several districts outside Dhaka, and protests have taken place in various districts.

Earlier in the morning, it was reported that leaders of the Awami League and the 14-Party Alliance expressed a desire to sit for talks with the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

Awami League leaders have stated that three individuals have been assigned the responsibility of conducting the discussions. They are Jahangir Kabir Nanak, a member of the party’s presidium, and Joint General Secretaries AFM Bahaluddin Nasim and Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif.

According to party sources, requests have also been made for Rashed Khan Menon, President of the Workers Party of Bangladesh, and Hasanul Haq Inu, President of JASD, to participate in the discussions.

When asked, Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif told daily Prothom Alo that they have not yet made contact with the coordinators. Contact will be made.

However, Abu Bakar Majumdar, a coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, told Prothom Alo, “There is no longer an opportunity for discussions. The decision will come from the streets.”

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