Shahbagh Movement

8/12/2019 Shahbagh Movement

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Shahbag Movement:

Shahbag is no ordinary place in Dhaka city. Itsa place that reminds us the great achievements

as Bangladeshi. This place is the witness of all glory of our country. Shahbag has now new

meaning. Shahbag is not just e place its a place of national unity its a place of national glory.

From the Shahbag movement Bangladesh is united once again and once again youth came totake part.

Beginning of the Revolution:

It all began with a victory sign, When Abdul Quader Mollah, assistant secretary-general of

Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami party, emerged from the Supreme Court on the afternoon of

Tuesday 4 February, he turned to the press waiting outside, smiled, and made a victory sign. An

odd reaction for a man just sentenced to life in prison. Mollah smiled because for him, a man

convicted of beheading a poet, raping an 11-year-old girl and shooting 344 people during the

1971 Bangladesh war of independencecharges that have earned him the nickname the Butcherof Mirpurthe life sentence came as a surprise. Earlier this month, a fellow accused, Abul

Kalam Azad, who is reputed to have fled to Pakistan, was sentenced to death . When Mollah

emerged from the courthouse, a group of online activists and bloggers assembled to protest

against the verdict, demanding that Mollah, like Azad, be given the death sentence. They set up

camp in Shahbag, an intersection at the heart of Dhaka, near the university campus, and staged a

small sit-in. Word spread on Facebook and Twitter. The next day, a few news channels began

covering their protest. By the end of the week, they had managed to put together the biggest

mass demonstration the country has seen in 20 years. The movementcentred around Shahbag,

which have renamed Projonmo Chottor (New Generation Roundabout)shows no sign of

abating. It reached its peak on Friday, when the organisers called a grand rally. Numbers vary,but are estimated to have been anywhere from 100,000 to 500,000.

Historical Context:

The call for Mollah's death is about more than revenge. He committed his crimes during

Bangladesh's nine-month struggle for independence from Pakistan in 1971. Mollah and the 11

others who stand trial with him10 of whom are members of Jamaat-e-Islamiare accused of

collaborating in war crimes with the Pakistani army. Between March and December of that year,

the Pakistani army unleashed a campaign of mass murder against Bangladeshi civilians.


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Role of print and electronic media

The role of media in Shahbagh cannot be described in words. Most of the print media and

electronic media supported and followed this protest from beginning. Electronic media set up

live telecast of the protest in every hours of news. Print media also published news about the

protest. While most media outlets followed the protests from the start, some pro-Jamaat-e-Islaminews outlets reported the movement as being some kind of "well-orchestrated play made by the

government. International media also did not stay quite as BBC, CNN, Yahoo! News, Reuters,

Al Jazeera, The New York Times, The Independent and others have published news about the

protests. The Bangla version of BBC has been closely followed the events. In any way people are

encouraged and sparkled by the media about the movement. With live news updates and

informative articles about the movement surly touch many hearts. The result is hundred thousand

people gathering for death penalty on war criminal. There was full of people from all classes,

gender, religion and profession. There are students from schools, colleges, universities and

medical colleges; teachers from different institutes as well as general people of all age and

profession. They have gathered at Shahbag square for one single demand, Hang the war

criminals until death.Hundred Thousand of people relived the spirit of liberation war ,

this slogan once again used to lift the spirits of movement just like liberation war.Newspaper played a vital role to educate people about Shahbag while electronic media did great

to focus on whats really happened in Shahbag. A newspaper printed some news that hurts

ordinary Muslim citizen the newspaper tried to break the monument of the spirit of people

joining Shahbag by addressing it as a place for atheists. That creates some diversion in the mind

of religion loving people in Bangladesh, but spirit of the movement was strong enough to recover

from this kind of misrepresentation of news and the leaders of Shahbag able to convince the

people this movement was not run by atheists. , this slogan stormedShahbag movement and provides new strength in the movement.

Role of social media

With the spark from the social media, Shahbag turned into a protest, demanding the capital

punishment for 1971 war criminals. Shahbag protest has turned into a strict demand, searching

only for the death penalty for all those who committed war crimes. The spark erupted after

Abdul Quader Molla, the secretary general of Bangladesh's Islamist party Jamaat-e Islami was

sentenced to life in prison for murder, rape, torture and other crimes committed during the 1971

liberation war. With the verdict, Shahbag turned into Tahrir Square in Bangladesh. The protest

started from this Facebook event is titled: "Protest against the Ruling Made for Quader

Mulla". there were more than 12,000 Facebook users who were attending the event. Their only

demand from dawn to dusk is to change the verdict. The Facebook event was created by

Bloggers and Online Activists Network (BOAN) in order to protest against the verdict. Facebook


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still continues to play a major role in the protest as users of Facebook spread their message

through video, photos and words. Many Facebook groups started to spread words of small

emphasis in order to spur the attention of the media towards the other direction. Faraeji Andolon,

Converse News, and Basherkella are three of those Facebook groups that has started to spread

various biased news supporting the Jamaat. They are spreading news of one of the main leaders

of the campaign being hurt by other members of the same group. #shahbag has become one of

the important hashtags in Twitter. An online radio has also been started to protest against the

ruling that alludes to the Swadhin Bangla Betar that gave the Bangladeshis news during 1971.

Analysis

Timeline of Shahbag Movement and News reports about Shahbag Movement

February 5th

: Day 1

All starts from this day and On this day ICT-2 verdict's on the war crimes case against Jamaat

leader Abdul Quader Mollah declared life imprisonment in two cases, 15 year jail in 3 cases and

one case is not proven in six specific charges for his alleged involvement in murders and mass

killings during the Liberation War in 1971.The protest resumed from afternoon at Shahbag,

when the sit-in started as an online activists group, Blogger and Online Activists Network

(BOAN), gave a call through online social networks to wage protests against the verdict against

Quader Mollah by the International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) sentencing him to life term

imprisonment for his war crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971.

News report of local media (newspapers)

The Daily Star -- Quader Mollah gets LIFE TERM

The Daily Star -- LIFE TERM Not enough: MUNTASSIR MAMOON

The Independent -- Quader Molla sentenced to life imprisonment

The New Age -- Quader Molla handed life term

The Daily Sun -- Life term for Quader Mollah

Bdnews24.com -- Molla sentenced to life in jail

The Financial Express -- Quader Mollah gets life-term

International Media:

BBC -- Abdul Kader Mullah gets life sentence for war crimes

The Reuters -- Bangladesh Islamist sentenced to life in prison for war crimes


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6thFebruary : Day 2

On this day although Jamaat-e-islami called for a dawn-to-dusk hartal for the second day,

protesting the verdict against their leader is illegal, there was nothing noticeable than the

Shahbag issue. Shibir got involved in minute vandalism and conflicts with the police in the

morning in the capital. The demonstrators painted streets, made banners, drew cartoons and

hanged effigies of war crime suspects including Mollah at Shahbag with a vow to sustain their

protest until their demand is met. People rallied from Shahbag to TSC with candles and banners

chanting against the ICT-2 verdict. They chanted slogans such as "Fashi Chai,Fashi Chai",

"Koshai Quaderer Jabojjibon Shaja Manina"

Few reports of the daily news papers both from home and abroad:

Prothom alo: Philadelphia Inquirer: Protests hit Bangladesh after war crimes verdict

The Globe and Mail: Bangladeshi protesters demand execution of Islamist leader

The Daily Star: Summary of verdict in Quader Mollah case

7th

February: Day 3

The energetic crowd at citys Shahbag that was surging with vigor in the grand demonstration onThursday vowed to continue their demonstration until the execution order against Quader Mollah

is delivered.

Few news about Shahbagh movement on 7 thFebruary

Prothom alo:Global Voices: Bangladesh: Protesters Demand Capital Punishment for 1971 War Criminals

The Star (Malaysia): Protesters demand death for Bangladesh war crimes Islamist

The Independent: Thousands join Shahbagh vigil for Quader Mollas death sentence

Daily Sun:Sit-in for Mollahs death penalty enters 3rd day

The Guardian -- Bangladesh jails Islamic party leader for life

Los Angel Times -- Bangladesh war crimes court jails Islamic party leader for life

The New York Times: Bangladesh: Life Sentence in War Crimes Trial
http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-06/news/327175http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-06/news/327175http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-06/news/327175http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-06/news/327175http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-06/news/327175http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-06/news/327175http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-06/news/327175http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-06/news/327175http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-06/news/327175http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-06/news/327175http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-06/news/327175http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-06/news/327175http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-06/news/327175http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-07/news/327519http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-07/news/327519http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-07/news/327519http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-07/news/327519http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-07/news/327519http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-07/news/327519http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-07/news/327519http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-07/news/327519http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-07/news/327519http://www.daily-sun.com/index.php?view=details&archiev=yes&arch_date=07-02-2013&type=daily-sun-news&pub_no=402&cat_id=1&menu_id=0&news_type_id=3&index=0http://www.daily-sun.com/index.php?view=details&archiev=yes&arch_date=07-02-2013&type=daily-sun-news&pub_no=402&cat_id=1&menu_id=0&news_type_id=3&index=0http://www.daily-sun.com/index.php?view=details&archiev=yes&arch_date=07-02-2013&type=daily-sun-news&pub_no=402&cat_id=1&menu_id=0&news_type_id=3&index=0http://www.daily-sun.com/index.php?view=details&archiev=yes&arch_date=07-02-2013&type=daily-sun-news&pub_no=402&cat_id=1&menu_id=0&news_type_id=3&index=0http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-07/news/327519http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-06/news/327175


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8th

February 2013: day 4

On this day The elated protesters from all race, religion and community on Friday demanded ban

on Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the countrys largest Islamic party, and its student wing Islami

Chhatra Shibir, at Shahbag.

News reports by home and abroad media:

The Independent: Death to war criminals

The Daily Star: Vow to boycott Jamaat Institutions

BBC:Huge Bangladesh rally seeks death penalty for war crimes

BDNews24.com: Teeming thousands chant Hang them all

February 9, 2013: Day 5

An issue swirled among the demonstrators all day long: there is a little chance for the

government to ask for an appeal. The government is taking initiative to go for a correction in the

ICT law 1973,21 section - 2. After five days the protesters at Shahbag were seen as prompt as

before. Literally, voice decibels are mounting day-by-day. The number of participants in the

spontaneous demonstration was on the rise a day after their grand rally, comprising fresh-

blooded generation in majority.

Some Lead news of 9th

February

NTD Television: Bangladesh Stands Up Against War CrimesThe Daily Star: Youths rekindle spirit of '71

BDNews24.com: Voices rise across Bangladesh

The Daily Star: Shahbagh protests continue

Prothom alo:


Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday's Parliament session appreciated the vigorous spirit ofthe youths at Shahbag. In her speech she assured that the demand of people has to be

materialized, as they think the verdict is unfair.

REUTERS:Bangladesh to amend war crimes law amid protests: minister

Prothom alo: -ESPN/Cricinfo: Top cricketers visit Dhaka protest rally
http://www.theindependentbd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=154678:death-to-war-criminals&catid=129:frontpage&Itemid=121http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-09/news/327984http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-09/news/327984http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-09/news/327984http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-09/news/327984http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-09/news/327984http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-09/news/327984http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-09/news/327984http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-09/news/327984http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-09/news/327984http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-09/news/327984http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-09/news/327984http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-09/news/327984http://www.theindependentbd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=154678:death-to-war-criminals&catid=129:frontpage&Itemid=121


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On this day The morning session of the procession started as the other days with people

accumulating at the centre of the 'Prajanma Chattar'. As the day passed students from nineteenschools and colleges joined the demonstration. Some lead news of this day was:

CNN iReport: Rise and Rise Youth of Bangladesh: You Have Nothing To Fear But Your OwnPower

The Daily Star: Bombs explode at Mymensingh protest

BDNews24.com: Sayedees son detained along with 3 others


Shahbag protesters have called upon the countrymen to observe a three-minute silence from

4:00pm on Tuesday to press home their demand for death penalty for war criminals.

The Guardian: Shahbag protesters versus the Butcher of Mirpur

The New York Times: Politics in Bangladesh Jolted by Huge Protests

BDNews24.com: 'Massive' Shibir attack on JU

BDNews24.com: Bill to ban Jamaat on way

The Daily Star: Hit-and-run violence grips city


Pohela Falgun celebrations are set to store by the protest at Shahbag. People have gathered in

huge numbers to attend the Shahbag demonstration which is being held for eight days since the

verdict of war criminal Abdul Quader Mollah.

Forbes: The Female Factor: Bangladesh Protests Break Boundaries

The Indian Express: Bangladesh witnesses violence over war crimes trial

BDNews24.com: Spring of protest

BDNews24.com: ICT law amendment bill tabled


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The country has experienced the unity once again on Thursday as the people all over Bangladesh

lit candles at 7:00pm. The nation gets illuminated in the evening by millions of candles to pay

homage to the martyrs of 1971. The decision was announced a day earlier.

The Guardian: Bangladesh's 'Tahrir Square' protest demands death for war criminals

BBC: Thousands protest over war crimes tribunal

BDNews24.com: Form anti-Razakar brigade

The Daily Star: Nation lights up millions of candles

The Daily Star: Wide coverage in int'l media


News of this day:

BDNews24: Shahbagh protester killed

The Express Tribune: Shahbag Squarewhy we Pakistanis dont know and dont care

Asia Online: Dhaka war crimes protest gains ground

BDNews24.com: Uprising Rally set for Friday

February, 16 2013: Day 12

The heavily stabbed body of Rajib, the 30-year-old blogger and activist of the ongoing Shahbag

movement in demand of capital punishment to the war criminals, was found Friday night near his

residence at Pallabi in the capital.

The Guardian: The agonies of Bangladesh come to London

The New York Times: Vast Throng in Bangladesh Protests Killing of Activist

CNN: Bangladesh war crimes verdict protests turn deadly

The New York Times: Bangladesh: 3 Protesters Shot Dead

The Wall Street Journal: Bangladeshi Blogger Slain as Protests Sweep Capital

The Daily Star: Desperate, dangerous. Jamaat, Shibir try a few tricks to counter Shahbagh

outrage


This morning the whole nation sang the national anthem and raised the national flag

wholeheartedly to support the Shahbag movement. Shahbag protesters called to abort Jamaat's

hartal on Monday. Meanwhile people have gathered in huge numbers to attend to Shahbag

demonstration which is held for 12 consecutive days long since the verdict of war criminal

Abdul Quader Mollah


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BBC: Bangladesh protests trigger changes to war crimes law

The Guardian: Bangladesh parliament amends war crime law to challenge sentence

Reuters: Bangladesh amends war crimes law, mulls banning Islamists

AFP: Bangladesh shuts Islamist website after blogger murder

BDNews24: Law passed for Jamaat trial

Fenruary 18, 2013: Day 14

Demonstrators at Shabag called upon the people to write letters commemorating the martyrs of

the Liberation War and tie those with balloons and release in the air at 4:13pm tomorrow, the

moment the Pakistani forces surrendered on 16 December 1971

The Wall Street Journal: Bangladesh Protesters Press for Islamist Party Ban

Deutsche-Welle: War Crimes-Will ban on Islamic party heal wounds?

BDNews24: Ghulam Azam was mastermind

Epoch Times (in Chinese):Bangladesh protests subtidal repair the war crimes bill


Large processions are meeting at Shahbag Projonmo Chottor every now and then. Relentless

slogans from the central Gonojagoron Moncha demanding ban on fundamentalist Jamaat-e-

Islami, avenging Rajib Haiders death and for execution of war criminals continued unabated

Al Jazeera: Bangladesh war crimes protests continue

Toronto Sun: No one sings Bangladesh anymore

CNN-IBN: Bangladesh remains tense as three die in Jamaat-e-Islami's countrywide bandh

BDNews24: Media blackout: Why isnt the world acknowledging Shahbagh?

The Independent: The war Bangladesh can never forget


In this day protestors of Shahbag release balloons in the sky with a letter for 3 million the

martyrs of the war of liberation.

BDNews24: Dhaka Reporters' Unity slates attack on Sumon

The Daily Star: Shahbagh sky takes hues

The New Indian Express: Perpetrators of 1971 war crimes must be punished

The Daily Star: Out with a new trick?

Financial Express: It's time to ban Jama'at politics: Grand Alliance

The Daily Star: War Tribunal: Mojaheed involved in killing a dozen


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The non-stop protest that trembled the nation comes to an end at the seventeenth day, Thursday

at Shahbag Square, after thousands participated the grand demonstration on International Mother

Language Day.

The Daily Star: Target Friday: Govt takes steps to thwart Jamaat's bid for anarchy

CNN-IBN: Dhaka: Protesters demand severe punishment for 1971 war-crime accused

BDNews24: Massive sabotage feared this month

New Age: Work together to free country from Razakars: PM

The Financial Express: (Even ;-) Ershad wants ban on Jama'at, Shibir politics

The Indian Express: Protest tide in Dhaka as Bangla remembers language martyrs

Hindustan Times: Shahbagh: A festival left hanging


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Referecne:

www.thedailystar.net

www.theindependentbd.com/

www.daily-sun.com/

www.prothom-alo.com/

www.bbc.co.uk/bengali/

www. shahbagmovement.com

www.ndtv.com/article/world/

www.tazakhobor.com/

www.newagebd.com

Documents

Shahbagh Movement