Solidarity amid strife | The Daily Star

The recent protests surrounding the quota reform movement have garnered widespread solidarity from various sectors of society.

People from all walks of life — including teachers, writers, farmers, workers, expatriates, development professionals, and artists — have expressed their support for the students and their deep shock at the recent resulting violence in the loss of numerous lives, as well as countless serious injuries.

For instance, 626 faculty members of BRAC University, through a press statement, expressed their solidarity, emphasizing commitment to a just, democratic, and inclusive society, and support for the students’ right to peaceful protest.

They expressed deep concern over the torture and harassment of students and the disruption of academic life.

Additionally, leaders of eight teachers’ organizations have confident students to resolve the issue through discussions with the prime minister.

This call was made yesterday at a meeting held at the central office of the Independence Teachers Council, presided over by principal Dr Shahjahan Alam Saju.

Furthermore, 51 teachers from Cumilla University expressed shock and grave concern over the killing of young students, calling for an end to the harassment, arrest, and torture of students nationwide. They also demanded justice for the deaths.

The Expatriate Unity Council, in a separate statement, expressed solidarity with the anti-discrimination student movement and their non-cooperation movement from today, and urges everyone to support it.

They also called on army officials to reject any orders by the government against citizens.

Thirty writers also demanded an impartial investigation into all killings related to the quota reform protests, an end to mass arrests, and the immediate release of detained individuals.

They called for lifting the curfew, reopening of educational institutions, stopping the harassment of students and the public, providing compensation to the families of those killed, treatment for injured protesters, and addressing the protesters’ demands promptly.

They also advocated a national dialogue to resolve the crisis.

The Bangladesh Krishak Sangram Samiti expressed solidarity with the students’ demands, emphasizing the difficulties in receiving education and unemployment after graduation.

They condemned the government’s authoritarian response and pursued the eradication of the entire authoritarian system to advance the movement for public liberation.

Under the banner of “Development Professionals’ Alliance for Freedom and Justice”, around a thousand development professionals from different organizations yesterday joined a rally at Justice Shahabuddin Park in Gulshan.

Rubaiyath Sarwar, a development professional and researcher, read the official statement, strongly asserting that injustice and state-led brutality must end, and that the people’s right to speak and write must prevail.

“Bangladesh cannot afford to lose any more of its people in the fight for democracy,” he added.

Various bands, solo musicians, lyricists, and composers organized the “Get Up Stand Up” event at Dhanmondi’s Rabindra Sarobar to show solidarity with the student movement. Over 5,000 people attended the event, later marching to the Central Shaheed Minar.

Musicians outside Dhaka also expressed solidarity by organizing similar events in their respective districts. Artists created banners and festoons with lines from Bangla songs that have historically inspired movements and protests.

Hamin Ahmed, the current president of Bamba and a member of Miles, said, “We want no more shootings, no arrests, and a proper investigation into those who have lost their lives.”