Thousands of Bangladeshis gathered in Dhaka for a 'March for Unity' to honor the student-led uprising that occurred five months ago, resulting in the removal of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the tragic loss of over 1,000 lives. The Students Against Discrimination (SAD) group, which spearheaded the protests, had initially planned to advocate for changes to the country's 1972 constitution but decided to focus on a 'Proclamation of the July Revolution' following the interim government's announcement of preparing a proclamation.
The 'Proclamation of the July Revolution' is seen as a crucial step to pay tribute to the protesters who made sacrifices and to reflect the people's aspirations. Concerns were raised by political analysts regarding potential instability if constitutional changes were pursued without broader consensus.
The press office of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, who leads the interim government, revealed plans to seek national consensus on a 'Declaration of the July Uprising', emphasizing unity, state reform, and the overarching objectives of the uprising. It is anticipated that the declaration will be finalized in the near future.
During the rally, students from various regions of the country and families of the deceased protesters participated, waving the national flag and voicing grievances against Hasina. Heart-wrenching stories were shared, such as Abul Hasan's account of losing his ninth-grade son, Shahriar, during the protests.
The initial trigger for the demonstrations was opposition to public sector job quotas, which evolved into a widespread movement against Hasina's government. The peak of the unrest was witnessed on August 5, prompting Hasina to resign and seek refuge in India as violence escalated, resulting in a significant death toll.
Following Hasina's departure, an interim government was established with the objective of restoring stability and organizing elections. The interim administration includes student representatives, and Yunus has indicated that elections could potentially be held by the conclusion of 2025.
