34 July: One Point Demand

At a mass gathering of thousands at the Central Shaheed Minar, coordinator Nahid Islam announced a historic one-point demand for the fall of the government and the abolition of fascism. Nahid stated clearly that Sheikh Hasina must resign, along with her entire cabinet and the government in its entirety. “To achieve this one demand,” he declared, “we are calling for a student–citizen uprising. Even at the cost of our lives, even to the last drop of our blood, we will continue this struggle.”

To achieve that one demand, Nahid Islam announced a program of total non-cooperation starting the next day. He called upon all citizens to join in non-cooperation. “We will not cooperate with this government,” he said. “Let it be clear—we do not speak in terms of Awami League, BNP, or Jamaat. We will not be divided. We believe Sheikh Hasina’s government and the fascist system must leave Bangladesh. We must build a united Bangladesh, and people of all parties, all beliefs, must come together on this common ground.”