UNB- The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has announced a mass gathering at Zero Point in Gulistan, Dhaka, demanding the trial of the fallen ‘autocratic’ government led by Awami League. The program will be held tomorrow, starting at 12 PM. This has been confirmed by the coordinator of the movement, Umama Fatema.
Umama’s fellow coordinator Hasnat Abdullah shared on his Facebook page that similar programs are being organized in districts across the country under this theme. He emphasized that the protests should avoid any public inconvenience or violence. He warned that the Awami League’s “terrorists” might engage in vandalism and arson in disguise, intending to blame students and the public. He urged that any Awami League members found should be handed over to the police.
Hasnat also mentioned that the gathering will be a spontaneous participation of all political, cultural parties, and organizations that support the people’s uprising.
Earlier, Awami League announced a program on the same day at the same venue, just a few hours later at 3pm – ostensibly to mark Noor Hossain Day. The party stated on its verified Facebook page: “Join us in Dhaka in masses to protect independence, sovereignty, democracy, and establish justice.”
This was AL’s first call for such a program since August 5. Interest around the proposed program peaked with the leak of a call record over the weekend, where former prime minister Sheikh Hasina is heard urging a junior activist to stage a showdown on occasion of Noor Hossain Day, taking advantage of what she perceives to be the interim government’s weakness at the moment.
She is also heard instructing the worker to adorn the usual posters for the meeting featuring images of Hasina herself, and her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, with that of US president-elect, as well as formerly, Donald Trump – in a naked attempt to stoke the Republican’s ego and enlist his support for the return of AL and Hasina to power in Bangladesh.
Shafiqul Alam, the press secretary of the Chief Advisor, wrote on his Facebook that Awami League, as a fascist party, will not be allowed to organise any protests in Bangladesh. Alam warned of a strong law enforcement response against anyone attempting to organize rallies, marches, or meetings under the instructions of the “mass murderer” and autocrat, Sheikh Hasina.
