Students rally seeking trial for Hasina, ban on 'evil politics'

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has launched a protest march and rally at Dhaka University, calling for the trial of Sheikh Hasina and a ban on 'evil politics' masquerading as student politics in educational institutions.

The rally began at 4:00pm on Monday, August 12, at the Raju Memorial Monument on the campus. Central coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement leading the demonstration, which saw students from various university halls assembling in a series of processions.

Chanting slogans like "I want justice for Hasina’s murders" and "No place for evil politics on this campus," the students voiced their demands for justice and an end to divisive political practices.

Earlier in the morning, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, a coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the interim government's youth and sports adviser, took to Facebook to express his views. “Political awareness, not student politics, is what we need,” he wrote.

Asif, who has long opposed the rise of organised forces, torture, and partisan student politics, emphasised that the fight against authoritarianism was fueled by student political awareness. “Bangladesh will stay on the right path if students remain politically aware,” he added.

He also called for student leadership to be elected through student union elections, denouncing the current politics of muscle power, oppression, and partisanship.

The movement’s other coordinators later shared the rally details on their Facebook pages, furthering their call for change.