Thousands of Bangladeshis gathered in Dhaka on Tuesday for the ‘March for Unity,’ commemorating the student-led uprising that led to the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina five months ago. The protests, which resulted in over 1,000 deaths, were initially sparked by opposition to public sector job quotas and escalated into a nationwide movement against Hasina’s government.
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The rally, organized by the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) group, was intended to honor the victims and push for changes to the country’s 1972 constitution. However, the SAD decided not to call for constitutional amendments after the interim government announced it would prepare a proclamation.
The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, aims to focus on unity and state reform, in line with the goals of the uprising. Students from across the country, along with families of the victims, participated in the rally, chanting slogans against Hasina.
The violence that culminated on August 5 led to Hasina’s resignation and escape to India, marking the deadliest period in Bangladesh since its 1971 independence war. An interim government was formed to restore stability and prepare for elections, which may take place by the end of 2025.
