Zonayed Saki, Chief Coordinator of the Ganosamhati Andolon (Solidarity Movement), has said that justice, reforms, and elections are indispensable for moving Bangladesh toward a democratic political system and democratic order through a mass uprising. He warned that anyone attempting to sabotage this process will be collectively resisted by the people in line with the ideals of July.

He made these remarks while presiding over a protest rally organized by the Ganosamhati Andolon in front of the National Press Club on Monday. The rally was held to protest and demand justice for several incidents, including the murder of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, attacks on media and various institutions, the assault on New Age editor Nurul Kabir, the lynching and burning of worker Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, and the arson attack on the house of BNP leader Belal Hossain in Lakshmipur that resulted in the death of child Ayesha Akter. The information was shared through a press release.

Saki said those responsible for killing Osman Hadi must be arrested and brought to justice. He added that all the killings that occurred throughout July must be tried.

Commenting that there are ongoing efforts to derail elections, he said the government must take action against such attempts. Those who are attacking Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, cultural organizations, and individuals must also be brought under the purview of justice, he added.

Saki further stated that the government, which stands on the foundation of the uprising and is responsible for fulfilling its aspirations, has failed to ensure the security of leaders who participated in the uprising. He said, “The fallen fascists are planning and carrying out attacks day after day and are still managing to flee. Our state, administration, law enforcement agencies, and intelligence services still do not know whether the killers are inside the country or abroad.”

He questioned the silence of the interim government regarding attacks on media and cultural organizations. “What were our police and law enforcement agencies doing? Which government adviser went there, and what responsibility did they carry out? The government must be accountable,” he said. He further questioned whether, in place of the reign of fear established by the fallen fascists, a new group is now trying to establish another reign of fear, and whether the government is patronizing such efforts. “Is one form of fascism being replaced by another? These are questions the people of Bangladesh must ask. We must remain alert, conscious, and united,” he added.

At the rally, Ganosamhati Andolon’s Executive Coordinator Abul Hasan Rubel said, “The blood debt of the hundreds and thousands of students and youths who shed blood on the streets during the mass uprising remains upon us. From the perspective of Ganosamhati Andolon, a new political order means a political ideology based on justice and fairness.”

Political Council member Taslima Akhter said that through the murders of Osman Hadi, Dipu Chandra Das, and Ayesha Akter, a group is attempting to undermine national sovereignty. She said fallen fascists are trying to be rehabilitated, and those seeking their rehabilitation are repeatedly attempting to delay elections. “We must be clear about this and identify the conspirators,” she said.

Others who spoke at the rally included Political Council member Monir Uddin; Central Executive Committee members Bacchu Bhuiyan, Dipak Kumar Ray, Amzad Hossain, Anjan Das, and Lutfunnahar Sumona; Dhaka South Convener Alif Dewan; Central Advisory Council member Group Captain (Retd.) Md. Khaled Hossain; and Bangladesh Youth Federation Central Editor Zahid Sujan.

Also present were Central Executive Committee members Golam Mostafa, Saifullah Siddique Ruman, Abu Raihan Khan; Central Advisory Council member Saikat Mallik; Dhaka North organizer Ratan Talukder; Yasin Byapari; South Khan Thana Member Secretary Jillur Rahman; Rupnagar Thana Member Secretary Nazmul Islam Turab; along with other central and Dhaka metropolitan leaders of the Ganosamhati Andolon.