Autocracy Resistance Day today

Ekramul Haque Azim 14 February 2022

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Today is the historic `day of resistance against autocracy`. The day in 1983 witnessed a number of killings that included students mostly while protesting against Majid Khan`s education policy.

Ershad`s military government was forced to abolish the education policy in the face of intense agitation.

At the time, 11 people including Joynal, Jafor, Dipali were killed in reckless firing and baton charge by police. 1,331 were arrested that time.

In response to the incident, while students of Chittagong brought out a procession, Kanchan was killed by police firing. After that, the movement spread all over the country and Ershad government had to abolish the proposed education policy on February 18.

Fourteen progressive and left-wing student organisations launched the campus-based movement in September 1982, which later turned into a combined movement to realise 10-point demands, including cancellation of the Mazid Khan Education Commission report, implementation of a pro-people and single-track education system and establishment of a democratic and secular political system.

The organisations those launched the movement included then three factions of Bangladesh Chhatra League backed by Awami League, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League, Bangladesh Chhatra Union backed by Communist Party of Bangladesh, Biplabi Chhatra Maitree backed by the erstwhile Communist League, Chhatra Oikya Forum, Bangladesh Chhatra Samiti backed by National Awami Party, Biplabi Chhatra Union and Jatiya Chhatra Union, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front, Biplabi Chhatra Maitree.

Every year many organisation place wreath at ‘Education and Democracy Memorial’ in front of the Shikhha Bhaban to pay respect to the martyrs who fell on this day in 1983.