Thousands of Bangladeshis gathered in Dhaka on Tuesday for a 'March for Unity,' commemorating the student-led uprising five months ago that led to the ousting of longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and paying tribute to the more than 1,000 lives lost in the violence.

The rally, organized by Students Against Discrimination (SAD), refrained from pressing for constitutional changes after the interim government announced plans on Monday to draft a 'Proclamation of the July Revolution.' The document, SAD insists, is vital to honor the sacrifices of the fallen and articulate the aspirations of the Bangladeshi people.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, who leads the interim government, pledged to seek national consensus on a 'Declaration of the July Uprising.' His administration emphasized that the declaration would focus on unity, state reforms, and the movement's broader goals, expressing optimism about finalizing it soon.

Participants, including families of those who lost their lives during the protests, arrived from across the country. Waving national flags and chanting anti-Hasina slogans, they filled the streets of Dhaka. "My son Shahriar, a ninth-grade student, was killed during the protests," said Abul Hasan, addressing the crowd. "Our pain and tears will never end."

The protests began as a rejection of public sector job quotas but quickly escalated into a nationwide movement against Hasina's government. The unrest reached its peak on August 5, when demonstrators stormed her official residence, forcing her to resign and flee to India. The violence during the uprising marked Bangladesh's deadliest period since the 1971 War of Independence.

In the wake of the turmoil, an interim government was established to stabilize the nation and prepare for elections. The administration includes two student representatives, and Yunus has indicated that elections could be held by the end of 2025.