A group of activists under banner of 'Anti-Fascist Student-People' on Wednesday held a coffin procession on Dhaka University (DU) campus demanding ban on Awami League (AL), Jatiya Party (JP) and their collaborators.
The protesters began the procession from the Teacher-Student Center (TSC) premises at noon, carrying coffins bearing the portraits of Sheikh Hasina and Rashed Khan Menon.
The procession passed through the Vice Chancellor Chattar, Hall Para, Fine Arts Building and other significant roads on campus, before returning to TSC.
During the procession, the protesters chanted slogans such as, "Awami League's address, will not be in this Bengal and Jatiya Party's address, will not be in this Bengal."
Before the procession, the chief organiser of the Anti-Fascist Student-People, Bin Yamin Molla, called on the interim government to ensure that the Awami League and Jatiya Party are barred from participating in the upcoming elections.
Bin Yamin said, "Those who lost lives in July Movement will never return. So why should fascism return? Major political parties are extending their hands to the fascist forces. They are dreaming of holding the elections with them. Such a dream will never be allowed to come true in Bangladesh."
He added, "The Chief Adviser, Dr Muhammad Yunus, said yesterday that BNP, as a major party, has allowed the Awami League to participate in the elections. I want to ask him, who gave you the mandate? The mandate of the wounded and martyrs is that the Awami League should not be allowed to participate in the elections. Even their allies cannot participate as independent candidates. The wounded are still suffering in the hospitals, yet we are hearing that the Awami League will take part in the elections."
To maintain the spirit of the movement, the advisers of the interim government were urged to call for the banning of the Awami League and Jatiya Party in the interest of the country's development.
The protesters emphasised that even the allies of the Awami League should not be allowed to run as independent candidates.
"Those students who have sacrificed their lives and been injured do not want the Awami League to return. We demand a clear statement from the advisers on this matter," said Bin Yamin.
Another key organiser Ziaur Rahman Zia said, "Even after 100 days of fighting to expel the fascists, they are still lurking around, continuing their activities and even joining the advisory council. To bury them, the student community has united once again."
