BANGLADESH NEWS
A month after the Shahbagh movement took the country by storm, its
spirit continues to energise the youths who refuse to leave the streets
despite many challenges.
A dynamic rally marking one month of the protest took place at the
capital’s Jatrabari yesterday, reminding everyone of the revolutionary
gathering on February 5.
Imran H Sarker, the spokesperson for Gonojagoron Mancha, in his speech
at the rally highlighted their major achievements and hurdles over the
days, and urged protesters to continue the movement with the same
determination with which they began it.
Tens of thousands of people joined the rally, despite security concern amid widespread instability and violence in the country.
“The Gonojagoron Mancha has set an example of a non-violent movement in the country,” stated Imran.
Addressing Jamaat-Shibir, he said, “Take lessons from Gonojagoron Mancha
about what democracy means. Democracy doesn’t mean setting fire to
buses and killing people; democracy doesn’t mean setting fire to houses
or places of worship.”
Religious extremists had “gone crazy” because of the movement, he said.
Recalling that the Shahbagh Gonojagoron was labelled as a movement of
atheists by Jamaat and its allies, he said, “You have seen that people
from different religions, including religious people, have come here.
They have proved that this is not a movement of atheists.”
Imran, also convener of Blogger and Online Activist Network, reiterated
the movement’s strong stance against religious intolerance and bigotry.
In response to allegations that the movement has a political bias, he
said diverse groups with disparate interests have come under the same
umbrella to fight for a common cause. It is a rare occasion in
Bangladesh.
“Even parties that refuse to be on the same stage with each other have put aside their differences for a unified movement.”
“We want to ask the politicians of this country to take another lesson
from Gonojagoron Mancha. Please unite so you can collectively address
the national issues.”
He also censured repeated threats on protesters and their families, and
condemned the anti-liberation forces for spreading communal violence and
hatred around the country.
He urged Muslims to protect the temples of Hindus and the Hindus to do
the same for Muslims so that no one can ever disrespect a place of
worship.
He also invited everyone to attend the grand rally on March 7 at
Suhrawardy Udyan at 3:00pm, and urged all women and girls, women’s
rights organisations and women’s groups to participate in the March 8
rally on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
Leaders from different student organisation, among others, spoke at the event.
KM Allama Hossain Mojjadeddi, an Islamic scholar, speaking at the rally
said, “Jamaat cannot be an Islamic party. Those who will help Jamaat are
not pious. It is haram (prohibited) to have relations with Jamaat.”
He also said three thousand Islamic scholars and leaders have given
fatwa (religious edict) against Jamaat and Shibir, terming the
organisations “Kafer [apostate]”.
“They [Jamaat-Shibir men] are now threatening Alem [Islamic scholar]
community. They are saying they will make us disappear from this world
and that we are dalal (agents). If we are agents, we are agents of the
Liberation War.”
“Our brothers, friends, relatives and parents lost their lives in the
Liberation War. We are also prepared to give ours,” he said.
Claiming to be a blogger, he said Rajib, a Shahbagh activist brutally
murdered on February 15, did not write any anti-Islam posts. The
Jamaat-Shibir is spreading propaganda regarding Rajib to confuse the
people.
As usual, the overwhelming presence of students gave the rally its vibrant aura.
“We didn’t know what Razakar really meant and why they deserved
punishment. But now, thanks to Shahbagh, we understand our history
better,” said Shyamol Dewan, a tenth-grade student, who came to the
rally with more than 250 classmates.
Sajjad Ahsan, a University of Liberation Arts student, who was injured
in an accident recently, was seen making his way through the crowd with
the aid of a crutch.
“I am not willing to miss this uprising because of injuries,” he said.
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