Staff Correspondent

March for Unity, a previously announced program of Anti-discrimination students , has drawn thousands of people from across the country at the Central Shahid Minar here.

From the morning, people who came from different parts of the country were seen marching towards Shahid Minar with small processions chanting slogans and expressing their determination to keep up the spirit of July-August Uprising at a different height.

While marching towards Shahid Minar, the students-people demanded the annulment of the 1972’s constitution, and chanted ‘Delhi na (or) Dhaka, Dhaka, Dhaka’ Slogan. They demanded a Bangladesh which will be totally free of Indian Domination and also demanded death sentence of Sheikh Hasina .

Suman Ali came from Panchagarh told BSS that he came here being inspired by the sacrifices of martyrs and to demand Justice for the killings.

"We will not allow the sacrifices of our martyrs go in vain. The government must bring all the Awami culprits under swift punishment," he said.

"It is our duty to preserve the spirit of July uprising. We came here today as the students-people gathered here during the July movement. This is the place from where the coordinators of anti discrimination students’ movement announced the one –point demand of Hasina’s Removal. The government and political parties must understand the pulse of masses and what the mass people want", Toma Dey, another participant came from Sunamganj said.

Visiting Shahid Minar and surrounding areas, it was seen that the families of martyrs and injured were sitting on the premises of Shahid Minar. Buses and microbuses were parked by the roads. Mobile toilets were set right in front of the Shahid Minar. People irrespective of ages, and religions were seen chanting slogans and marching toward the main gathering lacing flags on hands and heads and showing placards.

However, Dhaka University administration also handled the situation strictly as it didn’t allow any outsider vehicles (buses and microbuses carrying activists who came to join July proclamation program) to preserve the educational environment of the campus.

Talking to the students of the Dhaka University, they said that the program didn’t impact educational environment and any problem.

Mentioned, on December 29, the coordinators of Anti-discrimination Students’ Movement declared that they would observe a program, named July Proclamation, acknowledging the July movement at the Central Shahid Minar on December 31 at 3 pm. Jatiya Nagorik Committee immediately supported the program and intended to join the program with extending their full support and cooperation.

Later around 12.40 am on Tuesday, the organisers changed the Program and announced March For Unity program.