"While in power, Sheikh Hasina was ready to throw the bodies of 50,000 more people."

This was said at a rally by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at Shahbagh in the capital, Dhaka, demanding four points including justice for Sheikh Hasina. The rally took place in front of the National Museum on Thursday (August 15) afternoon. During the event, coordinators of the movement, Sarjis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah, spoke with the media.

Sarjis said, "In the past month and a half, we know where the orders for the killings in Bangladesh came from. The plain truth is that we want justice for that murderer Hasina. Of the judgments she has made during her tenure, countless have been politically motivated and driven by hatred. We do not want such mockery of justice in Bangladesh. We do not want to use the courts at will. We will ensure an internationally acceptable trial so that people around the world cannot question it."

He continued, "Our demand is to the International Crimes Tribunal. We want the whole world to see how big a murderer she was and how she killed people in this country just to stay in power."

Regarding Sheikh Hasina's comment, "I resigned so that no more death marches would be seen," Sarjis said, "It is no longer 1971 or 1990. In 2024, everyone knows what is happening, what people are saying, and what their intentions are. Everyone in Bangladesh knows that she was ready to throw 10,000, 20,000, or even 50,000 more bodies just to stay in power. She became so power-hungry that she threatened the Army, Navy, and Air Force to keep herself in power by any means. If the three forces had not stood against her, there could have been a huge disaster in Bangladesh."

He added, "If millions of people had not taken to the streets from every corner of Dhaka, even if the number had been in the thousands, the murderer Hasina would have forced various forces to shoot."

Sarjis further stated, "The people of Bangladesh are no longer children. Those villagers in Bangladesh will understand whatever is explained to them. That day is no more."

When asked about the claims from the Awami League regarding counter-revolution, Sarjis told the media, "If anyone even mistakenly mentions counter-revolution, it means they are declaring war against the entire student and public force of Bangladesh. The motives of those making such declarations are not sincere. Their intentions are not related to the student and public masses of this country but rather to exploiting the people of the country. We understand that their interest lies in partially or completely selling the country to some malign forces abroad. If anyone dares to try a counter-revolution again, you have seen what happened on August 5; after that, there might not even be any existence left for you."

Coordinator Hasnat Abdullah said, "Several international communities are spreading propaganda about the coup that happened with the participation of students and the public. There is an attempt to present political conflict as communal conflict in the international media."

He continued, "Many past incidents, which happened due to political differences, are being presented as communal conflict in the Indian media. We have seen that last time, the fascist Awami League government established a government in Bangladesh with a sort of share to India, which is clear from Joy's (Sajeeb Wazed Joy) statements. They have turned away from the people and are now dependent on Modi to come to power. Joy is requesting Modi to arrange elections within 90 days—this shows how disconnected they are from the people. The Awami fascist government is now spreading propaganda both domestically and abroad to destroy our communal harmony."

"When they appeal to Modi for the election rather than to the people, our sovereignty is questioned. We want to make it clear that you have no right to make decisions about the country while sitting in America. Your boat has already sprung a leak. There is no plank on the boat, so there is no point in rowing. Do not expect to steer the boat in Bangladesh with Modi's oar," he added.

He further said, "Justice must be ensured first. They must admit their mistakes. If the people accept them through public pardon and political rectitude, that will be considered. It is up to the people."

Sarjis said, "Everyone must come to justice. They must account for the oppression and torture they have inflicted on people over these 16 years. Then the people will decide whether they can stand in the elections or not."