Hasina's ‘shadow’ is visible in interim government, says Anu Muhammad at Droho Jatra

Economist Anu Muhammad has said the expectations with which people overthrew the Awami League government and gave birth to the mass uprising last year have not been fulfilled; rather, Sheikh Hasina’s shadow is “visible” in the current interim government.

On Saturday, the former Jahangirnagar University professor called for completing the “unfinished work” of the 1971 Liberation War and the 2024 Uprising.

“The March of Rebellion must continue to carry forward the struggle of the oppressed and deprived,” he said.

The protests that erupted surrounding the quota movement in July and August last year were energised by the Droho Jatra -- the March of Rebellion.

Anu had called for the resignation of the Hasina government during the event titled “Students-People March of Rebellion,” held outside the National Press Club on Aug 2 last year.

That day, he said, the 9-point demands of the students' anti-discrimination movement have now culminated into a single demand -- the resignation of the Hasina government.

“It must resign without delay,” he added.

The day after the March of Rebellion, Students Against Discrimination leader Nahid Islam announced a set of demands from Shaheed Minar.

On the anniversary of the March of Rebellion, a programme with the same name was held at the Central Shaheed Minar on Saturday.

Organisers say, "The March of Rebellion is not organised by any individual or organisation. This rally belongs to all those people who are continuously fighting for the freedom of people in Bangladesh."

From the stage, speakers reiterated the call to continue the Students-Workers-People’s March of Rebellion, demanding the abolition of “fascist” state structures, justice for the 2024 killings and other murders across the hills and plains, and resistance against emerging “neo-fascist forces”.

In the chairperson’s speech, Anu, also the chief of Democratic Rights Committee, said: "Last year, countless people joined the March of Rebellion with hope for liberation, but that hope has not been fulfilled.

“When the tools of state suppression lose their grip, that moment marks a true mass uprising. We witnessed such moments in 1952, 1969, 1971, and 1990 -- all powerful surges of public resistance, but none led to lasting victory for the people.”

He added, “The way the interim government is functioning today bears the clear shadow of Sheikh Hasina’s rule. The same oppression, the same discrimination remain in place.

“Those who were the main force in last year's uprising are now being attacked more. Women are being attacked, alongside people of the hills.”

He continued, "The 2024 uprising began with demands for employment. Yet, under this government, workers are being shot at. Mob terrorism has been created.

“We would not have held the government responsible if we had seen it trying to stop these things. But the government is not doing so. In some cases, some responsible persons in the government are instigating mobs."

Comparing the current government with Hasina’s, Prof Anu said it is also making “secret agreements” with foreigners.

"Why would the Yunus government hand over the Chattogram Port to foreigners? Why make a contract to buy Boeing aircraft?” he asked.

“They speak against Indian dominance, but why don’t they cancel agreements that favour that?

“If they make secret agreements to please the Trump administration, then the March of Rebellion must continue."

He demanded, "The government must take responsibility for those injured in the uprising; must stand by the martyrs’ families and ensure justice for the killings. Case trade must stop, and no anti-Bangladesh interests agreements should be allowed.

“Attacks on women and ethnic minorities must be stopped. The judiciary must be allowed to play an independent role. Use of muscle power and black money in elections, as in the past, must stop.”

He said, "Those who try to belittle the Liberation War are enemies of the 2024 uprising as well. “The Liberation War is not the property of the Awami League. It must be brought under the people's control. The uprising must also be taken from the hands of extortionists and occupiers to the people."