Highlights
- Jatiyo Chhatra Shakti held a torch procession in Dhaka demanding the highest punishment for Sheikh Hasina.
- The rally moved from Shahbagh to Raju Sculpture at Dhaka University.
- Protesters chanted slogans calling for justice and denouncing the Awami League.
- Leaders accused the Awami League of 16 years of oppression and demanded justice for July’s victims.
Jatiyo Chhatra Shakti organised a torch procession in Dhaka demanding the maximum punishment for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the crimes against humanity case. The procession started at Shahbagh intersection at 7 pm on Sunday (16 November) and ended at the Raju Sculpture at Dhaka University.
Slogans During the Procession
Protesters chanted various slogans throughout the march.
In Bangla:
-
“বিচার চাই, বিচার চাই, খুনি হাসিনার বিচার চাই”
Translation: “We want justice, we want justice, we want the trial of killer Hasina.” -
“দালালি না রাজপথ, রাজপথ রাজপথ”
Translation: “Not brokerage, we want the streets, the streets.” -
“ইনকিলাব জিন্দাবাদ, জিন্দাবাদ জিন্দাবাদ”
Translation: “Long live the revolution, long live, long live.”
Speeches at the Gathering
At the brief rally held at the base of the Raju Sculpture, Jatiyo Chhatra Shakti President Zahid Ahsan delivered a strong speech. He said,
“আমরা আজ এখানে দাঁড়িয়েছি গত ১৬ বছর বিএনপির নেতাকর্মী এবং জামায়াত-শিবিরের ওপর আওয়ামী লীগ যে নির্যাতন চালিয়েছে, তার বিচার চাইতে।”
Translation: “We stand here today to demand justice for the oppression that the Awami League has carried out over the last 16 years against BNP activists and Jamaat-Shibir.”
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He added:
“আমরা শাহবাগ কায়েম করতে আসিনি, আমরা বিচার চাইতে এসেছি।”
Translation: “We have not come to establish Shahbagh; we have come to demand justice.”
Ahsan urged the judiciary to remember the victims of the past 16 years while delivering the verdict.
Remarks on Awami League’s Political Position
Ahsan harshly criticised the Awami League, claiming the party has lost relevance in Bangladesh’s politics. Ahsan said,
“বাংলাদেশের রাজনীতিতে আওয়ামী লীগ একটি ডাইনোসর… আওয়ামী লীগকে আর ফিরে পাওয়া যাবে না।”
Translation: “In Bangladesh’s politics, Awami League is a dinosaur… the Awami League will never return.”
He further said:
“২০০ টাকায় টোকাই দিয়ে ভাড়া করে ককটেল মারলেই রাজনীতি হয় না।”
Translation: “Politics is not done by hiring street kids for 200 taka to throw cocktails.”
Ahsan accused the Awami League of damaging the spirit of the Liberation War.
He claimed the party caused thousands of deaths after returning to power.
Ahsan concluded by expressing hope that the families of victims will be satisfied with the verdict.
Source: Jago News 24
