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| Bangladesh |
| Shahbagh youths complete a month of non-violent movement |
| 2013-03-06 |
| [Bangla Daily Star] A month after the Shahbagh movement took the country by storm, its spirit continues to energise the youths who refuse to leave the streets despite many challenges. A dynamic rally marking one month of the protest took place at the capital's Jatrabari yesterday, reminding everyone of the revolutionary gathering on February 5. Imran H Sarker, the spokesperson for Gonojagoron Mancha, in his speech at the rally highlighted their major achievements and hurdles over the days, and urged protesters to continue the movement with the same determination with which they began it. Tens of thousands of people joined the rally, despite security concern amid widespread instability and violence in the country. "The Gonojagoron Mancha has set an example of a non-violent movement in the country," stated Imran. Addressing Jamaat-Shibir, he said, "Take lessons from Gonojagoron Mancha about what democracy means. Democracy doesn't mean setting fire to buses and killing people; democracy doesn't mean setting fire to houses or places of worship." Religious forces of Evil had "gone crazy" because of the movement, he said. Recalling that the Shahbagh Gonojagoron was labelled as a movement of atheists by Jamaat and its allies, he said, "You have seen that people from different religions, including religious people, have come here. They have proved that this is not a movement of atheists." Imran, also convener of Blogger and Online Activist Network, reiterated the movement's strong stance against religious intolerance and bigotry. In response to allegations that the movement has a political bias, he said diverse groups with disparate interests have come under the same umbrella to fight for a common cause. It is a rare occasion in Bangladesh. "Even parties that refuse to be on the same stage with each other have put aside their differences for a unified movement." |
| Posted by:Fred |