Bangladesh: Demanding the release of Arif Mahmud, Jahangirnagar University (JU) coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, and protesting the harassment of a Dhaka University (DU) teacher, students and teachers of JU organized a protest procession on campus on Thursday. Starting at the university’s Central Shaheed Minar around 2pm, the rally called for the unconditional release of all arrested students, including Arif Mahmud and Lyon, a student of the city and regional planning department. Speakers also condemned the attacks by law enforcement on teachers from various educational institutions, including DU.
Professor Raihan Rhyne of the philosophy department said: "The people and students of Bangladesh have overcome the fear instilled by the current government. They now know how to stand firm against oppression. This movement against discrimination, initiated by students, paves the way for us to reclaim our freedom. It's not just the students who have lost their lives or been injured and arrested who are part of this movement. There's no conspiracy here; we must forge a new path.”
Philosophy Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan said: "All of Bangladesh is a learning ground today. The government's actions are clear; they play games of 'drama during the day, detention at night'. We demand the release of the detained students from JU. If they are not released, we will escalate our actions, and the government will be responsible for the consequences.”
Shamsul Alam, a professor from the government and politics department, commented: "At the start of the movement, Obaidul Quader encouraged the Chhatra League to attack protesting students. Now, those who ordered the attacks, including the prime minister, Obaidul Quader, and the home minister, are the ones lamenting. It’s hypocrisy at its finest.” Nahid Qaiser from Daffodil International University said: "Our beloved students raised their demands, and they deserved to be heard. Instead, they faced severe repression. As a teacher and a parent, I stand in solidarity with this movement. The students deserve justice, and those responsible for their suffering must be held accountable.”
Abdur Rashid Jitu, coordinator of JU's Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, added: "Police assaulted two DU teachers along with students protesting for their fair demands. There was also a bomb attack on a teacher's residence at Chittagong University, and private university teachers were attacked as well. I strongly condemn these incidents and demand the immediate release of all arrested individuals, including our coordinator Arif Mahmud and student Lyon.” The protest procession, which included singing "Amra Korbo Joy" (we shall overcome), started and ended at the Shaheed Minar area after parading through several roads on campus.