Student Movement Floods Social Media with Red Profile Pictures in Protest

Last Updated on July 31, 2024 12:51 am

In a striking display of dissent, the Anti-Discriminatory Students Movement has taken to social media with a sea of red profile pictures and images of individuals with red cloth tied around their eyes and mouths. This digital protest is aimed at opposing the government’s recently declared mourning day for victims of the quota reform movement.

On Tuesday, social media platforms like Facebook were inundated with red-themed profile photos. The initiative follows the government’s announcement of a national mourning day to honor those who perished during the quota reform protests. This decision was ratified during a cabinet meeting held on Monday.

The mourning day was intended to serve as a solemn tribute to the victims, but the Anti-Discriminatory Students Movement has criticized the gesture as inadequate and insincere. Mahin Sarkar, a coordinator for the movement, articulated the group’s discontent through a statement issued on Monday night, declaring their adoption of a new protest tactic: red cloth wrapped around participants’ mouths and eyes.

Sarkar explained that this symbolic gesture represents their dissatisfaction with the government’s approach to the crisis. In response, a broad spectrum of supporters, including students, teachers, cultural workers, journalists, and writers, swiftly changed their social media profile pictures to reflect the red theme.

Another coordinator, Abdul Hannan Masud, condemned the government’s mourning day declaration, calling it a “mockery of the martyrs.” He elaborated, “The government’s actions are tainted with blood, and thus, we have chosen to use red cloth in our online campaign to signify our protest.”

The situation escalated further following a controversial announcement by Nahid Islam, a prominent leader of the quota reform movement. Islam declared the cessation of all protest activities during a video message released after a meeting at the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Detective Branch (DB) office. This announcement, attended by key coordinators including Sarjis Alam, Hasnat Abdullah, Abu Baker Mojumdar, Asif Mahmood, and Nusrat Tabassum, has been met with skepticism and allegations of coercion.

In response, a faction within the movement has intensified their protests, planning a nationwide “March for Justice” scheduled for tomorrow, 31 July. The march aims to reinforce their nine-point demand, which includes calls for justice against alleged mass killings, arrests, attacks, and enforced disappearances of students. The demands also extend to a United Nations investigation into the violence, the resignation of several high-ranking officials, and the reopening of all educational institutions and dormitories.

Md Mahin Sarkar emphasized the urgency of their demands, stating, “We will hold demonstrations in courts, campuses, and streets nationwide to assert our nine-point demands and seek justice for the victims.”

The movement’s demands also include the resignation of vice-chancellors and proctors from major universities and a ban on student politics. They are calling for the withdrawal of military and law enforcement forces from campuses and the lifting of curfews imposed in response to the protests.

As tensions continue to rise, the government’s response and the forthcoming “March for Justice” will likely shape the future of the ongoing struggle for quota reform and student rights.