Thousands of people from various walks of life have thronged the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka, chanting slogans to voice their demands.The Saturday rally, organized under the banner of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, is a response to violence against peaceful student protest to press home a nine-point demand. By noon, students blocked roads at the Science Lab intersection, proceeding through Nilkhet and the Dhaka University campus before gathering at the Central Shaheed Minar.Thousands of students were already present at the Shaheed Minar before the noon march arrived, reports our correspondent from the spot. After noon, more protesters began arriving at the Central Shaheed Minar from various parts of Dhaka, including teachers and people from different professions.In a related show of solidarity, the country’s band musicians held a program titled "Get Up, Stand Up" at Rabindra Sarobar in Dhanmondi at 3pm, after which they also headed towards the Shaheed Minar.

Demonstrators from other parts of the city, including Badda and Rampura, joined the march towards the Shaheed Minar, with students blocking various roads in protest.

Law enforcement agencies have been seen maintaining a cautious presence at different points in Dhaka.Several coordinators of the student movement hinted that a one-point demand might be announced during the rally at the Central Shaheed Minar.