Govt suffered moral, political defeat: Shujan

The government has suffered moral and political defeat in the ongoing quota reform movement, said leaders of the citizen's rights platform, Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), referring to it as a mass uprising.

"This 2024 movement embodies all the characteristics of a mass uprising and it confirmed the moral and political defeat of the government," said Robaet Ferdous, executive member of Shujan, during a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity in the capital's Segunbagicha area today (1 August). 

Twelve people died in the 1952 Language Movement, 61 died in the mass uprising of 1969 but the death toll is four times higher in the 2024 uprising, he said.

"What constitutes a mass uprising? People from all walks of life take part in it. Children, women, journalists, doctors, engineers, people of various professions took part here [2024 quota reform protests]," said Robaet, a journalism professor at Dhaka University.

Youths, through their actions, showed the way where all political parties have failed, he said, adding that the constitution must be rewritten.

Shujan Secretary Badiul Alam Majumder said, "The government lacks accountability because there is no voting in the country. This is why they are resorting to using force to solve the problem."

"Without any affiliation with the ruling party, one cannot get government or semi-government jobs. The students are deprived of their right to government jobs. Shujan stands in solidarity with the students' demands," he said.

"The Awami League government, which came to power in 2008 with the support of the youth, now faces opposition from the same young people. It is important to ponder why this change has occurred," Badiul Alam added.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, a Supreme Court lawyer and chief executive of the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela), said, "We do not see any effective role from the government to resolve the crisis. The government is somehow trying to cover it up. The wound that has been created in the heart of this nation today runs much deeper."

Rizwana feels that the events surrounding the student movement have affected the entire nation.

"We have to demand justice from our respective positions. We have no chance to be silent or get comfort until the trial is done transparently with the international community's involvement," she added.

Rizwana Hasan also called for the dismissal of all cases filed against the students, the release of those who have been arrested, and an end to mass arrests by police.