Students Against Discrimination and Jatiya Nagorik Committee yesterday said they would take to the streets again if the government does not make the Proclamation of July Uprising by January 15.
At the March for Unity at the Central Shaheed Minar, they said their "revolution will end only when the nation gets justice and the reforms are carried out".
People in droves joined the gathering with national flags, placards, festoons, and banners.
They chanted slogans like "Ei Muhurte Dorkar, Bichar R Sangskar" (now is the time for justice and reforms) since they began gathering there in the afternoon. Most of the speakers ended their speeches with the slogan "Inquilab Jindabad" (long live revolution).
The programme was initially announced for making the Proclamation of July Uprising. But the government later said it would formally make the proclamation based on national consensus.
The students then renamed their programme "March for Unity".
Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the Students Against Discrimination, said, "We still do not have a document of proclamation on the July mass uprising. It must be issued by January 15. That day we want to reunite here with the proclamation.
"Our struggle against fascism and the Awami League will continue. Many couldn't accept our uprising and that is why there are conspiracies afoot at the Secretariat, in the police, and even in the courts."
Hinting at government officials, he said, "Accept the reality. Killer Hasina, who had taken away the people's right to vote by torturing political parties, won't be rehabilitated."
Nasiruddin Patwary, the convener of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, said the proclamation should incorporate the spirit of July uprising that ousted the fascist government with the blood of hundreds of martyrs.
"We want a new Bangladesh that will not tolerate any intimidation by any country; we want a country without any tender manipulation and extortion. We want the government to immediately bring the Awami League and Sheikh Hasina to book," he said.
Mentioning that the gathering was a renewed effort to press home the demand for justice by the families of the martyred and the injured, Nasiruddin said, "We will fight until justice is ensured."
Akhtar Hossain, member secretary of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, said people want a new constitution. "The next election will be held to elect a constituent assembly which will decide on the new constitution and later will play the role of the legislature."
He said the government's announcement that it would write the proclamation is a victory for the Students Against Discrimination.
Member secretary Arif Sohel of Students Against Discrimination said, "We learned from the uprising that the meaning of independence is the rights of farmers-labours, the basic human rights of all people, their right to food, education and health. All these should be in the proclamation."
Sarjis Alam, an organiser of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, said the interim government should focus on breaking up the syndicates that have the markets in their grips.
Spokesperson of the Students Against Discrimination and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee Umama Fatima and Samantha Sharmin, and organisers of the platforms in the districts and universities also spoke at the event.
The event began with a one-minute silence in remembrance of those martyred in the uprising.
Abul Hasan, father of martyred Shahriar Hasan Alvi, made the introductory speech. He said, "We feel our children every moment. Our tears will never dry. Murderer Hasina, her cabinet members, and the helmet-forces must be brought to book."