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A group of protesters have staged a sit-in protest at Dhaka University to demand the resignation of President Md Shahabuddin.
An organisation by the name of Shadhinota-Shorbobhoumotto Rokkha Committee (SHAROC) has announced a sit-in programme and siege at Bangabhaban to press for its 4-point demand list, including the removal of the president.
On Tuesday morning, protesters under the banner rallied at the foot of Dhaka University’s Raju Sculpture with a list of demands, including the termination of the current Constitution and the formation of a ‘revolutionary government’.
They also called for the Awami League and its allies to be banned from political activities.
Following the rally, the group began its march to Bangabhaban around 12:30pm.
“We achieved our freedom [from authoritarianism] through a long and bloody struggle. We have taken to the streets to protect that freedom,” Mohammad Rafiq Khan, a member of the group, said.
He accused the deposed Awami League regime of trying to ‘tarnish’ the hard-earned freedom achieved through the student-led mass uprising and undermine the interim government at every step.
According to him, the main culprit is the president, who was unlawfully appointed by “killer Hasina”.
“We request President Shahabuddin to resign immediately and vacate the Bangabhaban. Otherwise, we will start another movement like the July revolution.”
Questioning the integrity of the legal system, Rafiq also called on Law Advisor Asif Nazrul to take action against those who are accused in multiple cases but continue to roam free.
“And it would be a grave mistake for any of the advisors to the interim government to act under the influence of the dictatorship. The masses will not spare them.”
Advocate Moniruzzaman, the organiser of the event, said: “The blood of the students of the July-August uprising has not dried yet. But the illegal president from the fascist government remains in place. He must resign and be brought to justice.”
“Since the Awami League government turned into a dictatorship by relying on the post-1972 Constitution, it must be changed. Furthermore, since the current government was formed through a mass uprising, it is a revolutionary government, not a constitutional one.”
He continued: “If there is a revolutionary government, everything that precedes it should be overhauled. The last three elections need to be declared illegal. Only then will the president resign and be brought to trial.”