Staff Correspondent

Students and residents unveiled a "10-point charter for the interest of all" during a rally in Dhaka on Friday, aimed at preventing any resurgence of autocracy and fascism in the country.

The event, organized by the "Gono Abhyuthankari Chhatra Janata" platform, took place at Basabo Balur Math, drawing participants from several neighbourhoods in the eastern part of the capital, including Basabo, Sabujbagh, Mayakanan, and Khilgaon.

The charter outlined key demands such as banning extortion, ensuring freedom of speech, protecting minority communities from attacks, and promoting gender equality.

Speakers at the rally emphasized the importance of these principles in safeguarding the welfare of all citizens.

Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, a resident of Basabo, spoke of the role of students and the general public in the fight against autocracy and fascism, vowing to prevent their return to Bangladesh.

Echoing this sentiment Dhrubani Mahbub, a former Dhaka University student, said that the movement was driven by the collective interest of the people, not by any individual agenda.

The 10-point charter calls for a ban on extortion by police or any other groups; protection of minority communities' homes and places of worship; prevention of sexual harassment and promotion of gender equality; prohibition of intimidation, terrorizing, and looting; guaranteeing freedom of speech without fear of police torture or intimidation; prevention of forced participation in rallies and meetings; prohibition of unwarranted police detentions, with a call for respectful behaviour by police towards citizens; responsibility for cleanliness and hygiene in one's surroundings; protection of citizens' self-esteem and dignity; and preservation of public structures and sculptures.

Speakers urged the rally participants to implement this charter in their neighbourhoods and to build a strong resistance against any violations.

Addressing the rally, Asiya Akter, a student from Sabujbagh Government College, called for united efforts to prevent the return of autocracy and fascism.

The event also saw the participation of students from several educational institutions, including BRAC University, East West University, and Habibullah Bahar College.