Individuals from all backgrounds, including as educators, cultural advocates, journalists, authors, and learners, have included a red border onto their Facebook pages to honor the people who lost their lives in the conflicts at the heart of the quota reform campaign on Tuesday, reports Prothom Alo.
As the administration declared Tuesday to be a day of mourning for those slain, many who back the government updated their Facebook profiles with a black frame.
The choice was made during Monday’s cabinet meeting.
Prothom Alo was able to compile data on the 211 fatalities that have resulted from conflicts and violence at the heart of the quota reform campaign.
Opposing the state of mourning, a number of SAD coordinators declared on Tuesday that they would be capturing pictures of people wearing blindfolds and covering their mouths with scarlet cloths to demonstrate support for their nine-point demand.
People from all walks of life began adding the red frame to their Facebook profiles on Monday night after the program’s announcement.
Instructors from other universities, including Dhaka University, included the red frame onto their Facebook accounts.
Among those who were observed using the red frame were professor Asif Nazrul, Dhaka University’s Saiful Alam Chowdhury, Daffodil International University’s Jamil Khan, Samina Lutfa, Rushad Faridi, Kajalie Shehreen Islam, and Kamrul Hasan.
Among the journalists, who used red frame in their Facebook profile, include AFP news agency bureau chief Shafiqul Alam, Shampratik Deshkal deputy editor Nasrin Akhter and others. Of the writers, Zakir Talukder, Chanchal Ashraf, Mahbub Morshed, Salauddin Shuvro and many others also did the same.
Saiful Alam Chowdhury of Dhaka University has written, “Why have the people chosen red instead of black even after the deaths of so many people? People like you who have introduced and publicised big narratives do not have the capacity to realise how strong this protest is against your theories and narratives like mayhem, conspiracy, third power, sprinkling of water, rumour prevention, safe custody. Whereas black is the symbol of mourning, red symbolises revolution and love. Red is the symbol of valour and courage.”
Central general secretary of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), AL’s student front, Sheikh Wali Asif Enan, central leaders Rakibul Islam, Abdul Alim Khan, Munem Shahriar, Rafiqul Islam, Zahidul Islam, Riazul Islam and many others used the black frame.
BCL leader Zahidul Islam has posted a sarcastic status over the red frame of many people. He has written, “Shibir-Chhatra Dal, BNP-Jamaat all have become comrades today. Their DP (display picture) is full of red. Why are they like that?”
