Photo: BSS

By Md Mamun Islam

RANGPUR, August 1, 2025 (BSS) - On August 2, 2024, the anti-discrimination student movement entered a decisive phase as teachers and guardians joined students in Rangpur city and elsewhere, sending a red signal to the fascist Awami League regime.

The regime began losing control as the morale of law enforcement collapsed, and thousands of people from all walks of life came out in support of the student protesters. Public anger and resistance forced law enforcers to hold back from mass arrests, and students previously detained began receiving bail from Rangpur courts.

On August 1, a local court granted bail to 16-year-old Alfi Shahriar Mahim, a Class 11 Science student at Rangpur Police Lines School and College. He had been deliberately implicated in the case relating to the killing of Begum Rokeya University martyr Abu Sayeed. 

On August 2, Rangpur Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Cognizance Court granted bail to nine more detained students, including two HSC examinees. Seven of them were released that same day, and the remaining two walked out on August 3.

The students who secured bail include Mawbin Hasan Muhin, Rakib Hossain, Abdullah Ibne Zubair, Amir Hamza Amir, Taufiq Omar Dhruv, Pavel Mia, Al Marjan, Niaz Ahmed Rocky, and Saurav Mia. Police had arrested them in multiple cases filed at police stations across the city and district during the earlier phase of the movement.

Meanwhile, around 11 a.m. on August 2, students and guardians from various institutions gathered in front of the main gate of Begum Rokeya University at Park Mour with banners, initiating a peaceful rally and walkathon. General teachers of Begum Rokeya University declared solidarity and joined the programme.

They demanded justice for the murders committed during the movement, including that of Abu Sayeed, and called for the immediate release of all arrested students. 

At the rally, protesting students questioned how their peaceful movement turned violent. They said they had only raised their rightful demands. But with state backing, members of Chhatra League, Jubo League, and the police attacked them, beat them, intimidated them, and opened fire.

Teachers echoed the students, demanding justice for all killings, especially their student Abu Sayeed, through a proper and fair investigation. They warned that the regime must accept the students' legitimate demands and immediately restore a safe and fair academic environment. Otherwise, it must bear full responsibility for any consequences. 

Guardians expressed their heartbreak and frustration. "Our children have taken to the field with fair demands. Many have been killed. Many are injured and afraid. As guardians, we cannot sit idle," they said. "We are with them."

After the rally, a protest procession started from Park Mour and paraded through the main roads of the city amid rainfall. Protesters chanted slogans in defiance and determination, soaked but undeterred.

One day earlier, on August 1 afternoon, teachers held a sit-in on the Begum Rokeya University campus. Before that, they staged a silent procession circling the campus roads. At least 45 teachers from various departments participated in the sit-in, demanding justice for Abu Sayeed and other martyrs, safety for students, and the restoration of a proper educational atmosphere.

During the sit-in, Professor Dr Tuhin Wadud of the Bangla department expressed deep concern over the possibility of justice. He condemned the regime for using public-funded forces to kill and disappear students demanding quota reform. 

He recalled how police had rushed to bury Abu Sayeed overnight, with top officials taking his body into their custody-a scene reminiscent of the injustice witnessed during the Pakistani regime.