Students assemble at the Shaheed Minar for the ‘March for Unity’

Students and ordinary citizens have gathered in large numbers at the Central Shaheed Minar to take part in the ‍‍`March for Unity,‍‍` organized by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. 

Since early morning on Tuesday, December 31, people from different parts of the country have been making their way to the iconic monument.

Students from various universities and schools in Dhaka have also joined the demonstration, bringing banners and raising their voices for change.

As the crowd swelled, chants of protest filled the air. Students were heard shouting slogans such as, “Amar bhai kobore, khuni keno baire?” (Why is the murderer out, while my brother is in the grave?), “Delhi na Dhaka Dhaka” (Delhi or Dhaka, it’s all the same), “Rokter bonnay bhese jabe onnoay” (In the flood of blood, injustice will drown), and “Abu Said Mughdho shesh hoye nai juddho” (Abu Said Mughdho, the war isn’t over yet). 

These passionate chants reflected the anger and determination of the young protesters who are calling for justice and equality.

By 11 AM, preparations were well underway at the Shaheed Minar. A red carpet had been laid out on the monument’s platform, and the stage was being set up. 

Large LED screens were placed around the area, allowing more people to join the rally remotely. As more students arrived, many were seen carrying the national flag, with some even wearing headbands decorated with the flag‍‍`s colors, symbolizing their support for the cause.

The rally comes just days after the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement announced the release of their ‍‍`July Revolution Declaration‍‍` in an effort to sustain the momentum of the student uprising. The declaration was supposed to be read out at the Shaheed Minar on Tuesday. 

The movement explained that the declaration would serve as a formal record of the public demands and aspirations sparked by the July Uprising.

They also invited people from all political backgrounds to join the protest, with a statement saying, “At the Shaheed Minar, 158 coordinators and co-coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement will take an oath. 

Additionally, the demand for the ‍‍`Second Republic‍‍` will be raised.”

However, the government quickly distanced itself from the declaration, with its press wing labeling it as a "private property." 

The government made it clear that they had no involvement in the matter. 

Just hours later, though, the government made a surprise announcement that it would issue its own version of the Uprising Declaration, but not until a few days later. 

This announcement sparked a reaction from the student movement‍‍`s leaders.

In response to the government‍‍`s move, the central leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement held an emergency meeting late on the night of December 30 at their office in Banglamotor. 

Around 1:45 AM, they held a press conference where they confirmed that the ‍‍`March for Unity‍‍` would go ahead as planned at 3 PM on December 31 at the Shaheed Minar, despite the government‍‍`s stance. 

The protestors are determined to continue their fight for justice and equality.