HUNDREDS of students took to the streets of Dhaka on Wednesday, calling for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League to be put on trial.
Footage captured the demonstrators marching with Bangladesh flags, chanting slogans, and listening to speeches.
This comes after a court in Bangladesh opened a murder investigation against Sheikh Hasina and six senior members of her administration, following the deaths of several protesters during civil unrest.
Hasina resigned after weeks of anti-government protests, initially sparked by student opposition to the quota system for government jobs, which reserved a third of public sector positions for relatives of those who fought in the 1971 Independence War.
The protests escalated into violent clashes, leaving over 40 people dead as demonstrators stormed government buildings, including Hasina’s official residence.
With Hasina’s 15-year tenure marked by increasing unrest, President Mohammed Shahabuddin initiated discussions with political parties, the military, and protesters before appointing Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus as interim leader.
In an exclusive interview with SMNI, student protesters from Bangladesh recounted their experiences and commitment to defending democracy as the youth of their nation.
For Tamjidul Hoque, what began as protests over water control for farming jobs escalated to demands for PM Sheikh Hasina’s resignation.
“It is a very good example of how to try to control everything through power and force is never really a good idea. If you fall the situation in Bangladesh you would know that the protest were initially about controlling watering farming jobs not about government resignation it was only the violent crackdowns that the protest does demanded Prime Minister Sheikh exit,” according to Tamjidul Hoque, 24-year old LLB graduate and writer.
He added that this situation underscores the necessity for leaders to handle citizens’ demands.
“I think it shows that every leader of the country should show more respect and kindness towards there people and towards there demands instead of violently crackingdown and you know causing lives to be lost,” Hoque added.
Meanwhile, for Asif Azad, a content creator in Bangladesh, shared that this was the first time that they’ve truly experienced freedom and democracy.
“For the first time we genuinely feeling and experiencing the freedom, the independence and the democracy. The brave students who charge, who initiated and lead the protest the movement later on then the entire nation join and collectively our unity, our people we caught our Bangladesh back and nothing feels better than this honestly,” stated Asif Azad, Content creator from Bangladesh
Student protester on dictatorship: ‘When people unite, look happened in Bangladesh’
Asif Azad, reflecting on the significance of this moment, shared his overwhelming pride as a Bangladeshi, acknowledging the long-awaited realization of the freedom their forefathers fought for over five decades ago.
“This is the best I ever felt as Bangladeshi. It is real this is something we always wanted but as a nation we never go to experience the freedom that our freedom fighter is fought for 53 years back,” Asif Azad, Content creator from Bangladesh said.
Asif Azad also sent a clear message to those in power, emphasizing the strength of a united people and cautioning against the dangers of dictatorship.
“Well dictatorship is something not should be there, right? I don’t know much more about politics but to all the dictators out there your better take notes cause when people unite just see what happen to Bangladesh.”
“Cause this line I’ve always heard but now I genuinely felt what it means. Governments of the people, for the people, by the people. So never never under estimate the people,” Azad added.
