What’ll Happen At Shaheed Minar On Dec 31?

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and National Citizens' Committee have sparked speculations by creating a social media buzz with slogans ahead of December 31.

“Comrades, Now or Never,” labour and employment adviser Asif Mahmud posted on Facebook on Saturday (December 28) evening.

Hasnat Abdullah, one of the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, wrote, “Comrades, 31st DECEMBER! Now or Never.”

Rifat Rashid, one of the coordinators of the movement, wrote, "All eyes on 31st December, 2024. NOW or NEVER!”

In the comments, he hinted at an event at the Central Shaheed Minar on December 31 at 3pm. Other student movement and National Citizens' Committee leaders are also posting about it on Facebook.

Some student movement leaders said that the July coup declaration may be read out on December 31.

The movement’s spokesperson Umama Fatema said, “The group will address the July revolution, why it evolved from Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic regime, shifted from nine-point demand to one demand and the aspirations of the students and masses.”

The student-led movement began as a protest against discriminatory public sector job quotas since 30 percent of the jobs were reserved for descendants of freedom fighters. People from across the social strata and political parties joined them as the government launched the most brutal crackdown in the country’s history.

Hundreds of people, including young children and many students, were killed and thousands were injured. Sheikh Hasina’s government imposed an indefinite curfew, cut off the internet and called out the army and paramilitary forces to quell the protests.

Hasina was eventually forced to resign and flee the country on August 5. An interim government headed by Dr Yunus took charge three days later. It has promised elections after necessary reforms.