DU students protest anthem disrespect

In response to what they described as a recent act of disrespect toward the national anthem, Dhaka University students gathered Monday evening at Raju Memorial Sculpture to protest by singing the national anthem in unison.

At around 7:30 PM, the students assembled at the base of the sculpture and collectively sang the national anthem, calling it a peaceful protest against an incident they say took place in Shahbagh days earlier.

According to the protesting students, during a demonstration at Shahbagh on May 10, a group allegedly interrupted the national anthem by shouting slogans such as "fake, fake," which they claim amounted to an insult to the anthem and national symbols.

In protest, students from various residential halls marched to the Raju Memorial, chanting slogans such as "Who are you? Who am I? We are Bangladeshis".

Speaking to reporters, students said, “As citizens of Bangladesh, we cannot tolerate any form of disrespect toward our national flag or anthem. Anyone who wishes to engage in politics in this country must first prove their loyalty to the spirit of Bangladesh.”

The protest comes in the wake of viral social media footage allegedly showing an attempt to disrupt the national anthem during a blockade organized to demand the banning of the Awami League and two other political demands.

The students vowed to remain vocal and vigilant against what they perceive as attacks on the country’s core symbols and values.