Students whitewash Bangladesh after months of deadly unrest: Video
Students, who were at the forefront of the protests that led to the ousting of the 'autocratic premier' Sheikh Hasina, are now channelling their efforts into a new mission of transforming the capital city, Dhaka, through painting.
These students, who once filled the streets with their demands for change, are now armed with paintbrushes and buckets of whitewash. Their goal is to erase the politically charged graffiti that marked the height of the recent unrest.
By covering up slogans accusing Hasina of murder and calling for her resignation, they aim to symbolise a fresh start for the nation.
"When the protest first started, many slang and negative comments were painted here. We are erasing those comments and painting murals over so that our younger generation won't be using those comments," Fiyaz Hossain said.
For these young activists, whitewashing the walls represents true independence and a new beginning.
"Mainly, we're painting a bird being freed from a cage. That means we're an independent Bangladesh. We have freedom!" Abir Hossain, a student volunteer painting murals over political graffiti said.
They argue that by removing the remnants of the past conflict, they are paving the way for a more unified and hopeful future.
"The main reason we're painting these murals is that we want to deliver a message to the people that have liberated this country from a dictator and now we have to work together. The people will see and understand these messages that if the students and all of the people work together, we can rebuild this country," Nafisa Sara, another student volunteer shared with AFP.
