Shawdesh Desk:

Thousands of students and people from across the country began gathering at the Central Shaheed Minar since morning to participate in the ‘March for Unity’ programme.

The event, organised by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, aims to support the interim government’s initiative to draft a declaration recognising the July uprising based on national consensus.

Participants, carrying national flags, were seen gathering near the venue, while organisers made final preparations, including stage arrangements and last-minute sound checks.

Groups of people arrived from various parts of the city, chanting slogans such as ‘Mujibbader Thikana, Ai Banglai Hobena,’ ‘Delhi na Dhaka, Dhaka Dhaka,’ ‘Shesh Hoini Juddho, Abu Sayed Mughdo,’ and ‘Azadi na Golami.’

Organisers expressed the hope that the event will draw a crowd of 500,000 people.

Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali visited the venue to check the security initiatives and gave the direction to handle the situation with utmost sincerity.

Arif Shohel, Member Secretary of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, emphasised the importance of the July Declaration in honouring the sacrifices of martyrs and wounded victims, as well as reflecting the people’s aspirations.

Speaking about the initiative at a press conference, he said, ‘The proclamation of July revolution is essential as recognition of the sacrifice of thousands of martyrs and wounded victims, and as a document of people’s aspirations.’

‘Despite various challenges, we, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, took on the responsibility of formulating and declaring this historic document on behalf of the students and people of Bangladesh,’ he added.

Highlighting the public response, he noted, ‘As a result of our initiative, there has been a spontaneous and positive response among the students and other people of Bangladesh. In this context, at the call of people including students an initiative has been taken from the government to formulate the July Declaration based on national consensus.’

He urged people to maintain their enthusiasm and participate actively in the programme, scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm.

Abdul Hannan Masud, Coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, expressed optimism about the government’s agreement to the July Declaration, saying, ‘We have initially achieved victory. The government has given its consent regarding the proclamation of the July revolution. The proclamation will come from our government, but that doesn’t mean our gathering will stop.’

The press conference announcing the event was also attended by members of the Jatiya Nagarik Committee.

The declaration is expected to draw parallels to the Proclamation of Independence announced on April 17, 1971, which upheld the principles of equality, human dignity, and social justice. Organisers plan to evaluate significant events from history, including 1947 and 1971, and provide insights into why various movements failed to fulfill their aspirations.

With the overwhelming support and participation of the people, the ‘March for Unity’ is set to be a historic event, reinforcing the call for unity and justice in Bangladesh.