Protests swept across Bangladesh on Sunday as thousands of students and common people took to the streets demanding justice for businessman Sohag, who was beaten and stoned to death in a gruesome daylight attack in Dhaka’s Mitford area. Demonstrators from universities, civil society groups, and political organisations staged rallies, human chains, and protest marches in over a dozen districts, voicing outrage over the murder and the perceived inaction of the authorities.
In the capital, students from BRAC University, Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), North South University, Eden College, East West University, and others held coordinated demonstrations, while similar scenes unfolded at institutions like BUET, Dhaka University, and Shahjalal University in Sylhet. The protesters condemned what they described as a worsening culture of impunity and demanded exemplary punishment for the killers. Placards, chants, and speeches echoed calls for an end to political violence, extortion, and lawlessness.
From Rajbari to Rangamati, protest events included rallies led by general citizens, university students, and local party members. Human chains and street marches were also reported in Gopalganj, Munshiganj, Thakurgaon, Faridpur, and Jessore. In many places, demonstrators drew parallels between the murder and a breakdown in state accountability, warning that unless justice is served swiftly, public confidence in law enforcement will erode further.
Widespread protests and demonstrations erupted across Bangladesh on Saturday following the brutal killing of businessman Sohag in Dhaka’s Mitford area, where he was beaten and stoned to death in broad daylight.
In Rajbari, a protest march was held at 11:00am from the Government High School led by the 2023 batch students. Marchers passed through Panna Chattar and concluded the protest in front of the Rajbari Press Club, where a brief rally took place. Protesters said the incident reflects a grave decline in law and order, vowing not to allow autocracy to return to the country.
At Gopalganj Science and Technology University, over a hundred students from various departments formed a human chain inside the campus at 2:00pm. Protesters demanded swift justice and criticised the govt. for prevailing culture of impunity.
In Nilphamari’s Domar, people from various walks of life staged a human chain and protest rally near the rail gate at Domar Bazar around 11:00am. Protesters carried banners and placards and demanded immediate arrests and a proper investigation.
In Thakurgaon, students marched from the city’s main field to the Chourasta intersection, where they held an hour-long protest rally. Separately, BNP-affiliated organisations including Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal organised a protest near the BNP office condemning the killing and calling for swift justice.
In Munshiganj, four organisations—Anti-Discrimination Movement, National Citizen Party, Chhatra Adhikar Parishad, and Islami Andolon—jointly staged a protest in front of the Munshiganj Press Club. Protesters chanted slogans such as “No place for extortionists in Bengal” and “No room for dictatorship.”
Mymensingh Medical College students staged a protest in front of their main gate on Saturday afternoon, chanting slogans and calling for justice. They warned against the rise of fascism and vowed to continue the movement.
At Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) in Sylhet, hundreds of students rallied late Friday night, marching from Shah Paran Hall to Bangabandhu Hall. Speakers at the rally said students would never bow to injustice and would continue their protest until justice and safety were ensured across the nation.
In Kushtia, the municipal chapter of Islami Andolon Bangladesh organised a protest march from Barabazar to Mojompur on Saturday afternoon, condemning extortion and political violence.
In Faridpur, students marched from Government Rajendra College at 5:00pm, ending at the Press Club where they held a rally. Protesters accused activists from BNP’s affiliate bodies of widespread extortion and warned of further action if it continued.
In Lalmonirhat, Islami Andolon Bangladesh organised a protest rally and human chain at the Mission Mor area, denouncing both the murder and ongoing extortion. Earlier, student groups under the Anti-Discrimination banner also demonstrated at the same location.
In Jhalakathi, students staged a march from the Fire Service intersection around 11:00am, which passed through the main roads and ended in front of the Press Club with a brief rally.
In Jessore, students, teachers, and cultural activists gathered in front of the Press Club holding a human chain. Speakers expressed deep concern over the growing impunity and rising insecurity among the public.
In Naogaon, students under the “Naogaon Struggling Student-People” banner held a protest rally and human chain at the Mukti Mor area. They later marched through the main streets and concluded with a rally.
In Tangail, the Democratic Student Union held a protest march from the city’s Shaheed Minar to Nirala Mor at 5:00pm, where a rally was held.
In Rangamati, protestors began their march in front of the Banarupa mosque, concluding at the Deputy Commissioner’s office. They carried placards reading, “No more killings and extortion,” “We demand justice,” and “Students united against brutality.”
The nationwide protests mark a growing frustration among citizens and youth over lawlessness and rising political violence, with calls for justice growing louder by the hour.