Speakers at a harmony rally organised by Ekotar Bangladesh, a platform of all student organisations, called for equal rights and dignity of all walks of life in the country.
The rally was held at the Shahbag Intersection at 2:30pm.
Anti-discrimination Student Movement expressed solidarity with the harmony rally.
Ekotar Bangladesh spokesperson and also an Anti-discrimination Student Movement coordinator Tahmid Al Mudassir presided over the rally while Dhaka University Prof Abu Sayem Prof Rafiqul Islam, Prof Shafi Mohammad, Father Tapan de Rosario and Kalbela Editor Santosh Sharma attended the event.
Plabon Tarik, former President of Jahangirnagar University Journalists' Association, administered an oath at the rally wishing harmony of all strata of life in Bangladesh.
The oath said, "As a Bangladeshi citizen, my every footprint will be a replica of upholding justice.
Equality and human dignity will be the bridge of communication with every member of my state."
It added, "To me, proper exercise of the sovereign power of the people will be the only safeguard against upholding personal interests … I will not compromise on the national dignity and sovereignty of Bangladesh at any stage of life. If the state power becomes or wants to become oppressive, it will be my sole responsibility to stand against it. I testify that Bangladesh will be a fertile ground for ensuring human dignity of all people by blocking all forms of division."
Coordinators of Anti-discrimination Student Movement Hasnat Abdullah, Abu Baker Majumdar and Sarjis Alam addressed the rally, among others.
Ganesh Chandra Roy, President Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal's DU unit, said, "Even if murderer Hasina has fled to India, her accomplices are desperately trying to incite communal riots in the country. We have set up vigilance across Bangladesh. All conspiracies will be thwarted. The ideal of Bangladeshi nationalism is to embrace everyone regardless of their nationality, religion, or race. Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians are all part of the same nation. We are all Bangladeshis."
Islami Chhatra Shibir leader Sibgatullah said, "This Bangladesh is a land of harmony and unity. No party, organisation, or student can claim to have single-handedly freed this country. To rid the country of autocracy, ordinary people, private and public sectors, students from national universities, schools, and colleges have sacrificed their lives. Our brother Abu Sayeed sustained bullets with bravery. Inspired by Abu Sayeed, we want to say that if there are any conspiracies in the future, we will face them with our lives."
Abdur Rahman Faruqi said, "Murderer Hasina has carried out judicial killings against the scholars of this country by using this Shahbagh. From Shahbagh itself, your downfall began. Those who attempt to break the religious harmony of this country will have their venomous fangs broken."
Student leader Ali Ahsan Zonaid said, "We have learned to die, and no fascist force can hold us back.
Our brothers and sisters are suffering in hospitals, and the martyrs lie in their graves. A commission must be formed to ensure justice for the murderer Hasina and her accomplices in Bangladesh. The perpetrators of fascism must be brought to justice."
He continued, "Our primary duty now is to thwart all conspiracies, arrange medical treatment for the injured, and ensure the safety of people of all religions. Inspired by the martyr Abu Sayeed, we want to say that we will repel the claws of external enemies from our map. If necessary, we are ready to face bullets with our chests."
