The interim government in Bangladesh will mark August 5 as “Student-People Uprising Day” to mark the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India amid violent protests against her regime.
The government will also declare it a public holiday.
According to local media reports, Bangladesh will observe the day every year.
The decision was taken after the advisory council met at the State Guest House Jamuna on Thursday.
Interim government’s Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki told reporters, as quoted by The Daily Star, that a preliminary decision had been made to celebrate August 5 as the Student-People Uprising Day.
The matter will be finalised next Sunday, and a gazette notification may be issued the following day, he added.
Awami League Banned
Last month, the Bangladesh Election Commission suspended the registration of ousted PM Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, effectively barring the longest ruling political outfit in the country’s history from contesting the next general polls.
The Interim government, which came to power after Hasina’s exit from Bangladesh last year amid severe protests against her regime over the anti-job quota issue, banned the Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
All activities of the political outfit have been banned until the International Crimes Tribunal completes the trial of the party and its leaders.
Hasina’s Awami League is credited with having a long history of freedom struggle of the nation which was formed in 1971.
The interim government made the announcement amid protests across Bangladesh, demanding a ban on the Awami League.
July-August Uprising
According to the UN website, the repression of mass protests in Bangladesh last year that toppled longtime prime minister Sheikh Hasina left as many as 1,400 people dead in just 46 days – the vast majority shot by security forces.
In addition to those killed by the former government’s security and intelligence services alongside Awami League party associates, a report by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) into the alleged crimes indicated that thousands were injured, including one youngster who was shot in the hand at point-blank range for throwing stones.
According to the OHCHR report, as many as 12 to 13 per cent of those killed were children. Bangladesh Police also reported that 44 of its officers were killed between 1 July and 15 August 2024.
(With inputs from IBNS)
