Students stage a protest against the death of writer Mushtaq Ahmed on the Dhaka University campus on Friday.- Sony Ramany

Progressive student organisations on Friday staged a protest against the death of writer Mushtaq Ahmed at Dhaka University.

The rally was held at the base of the Raju Memorial Sculpture of Dhaka University at about 11:00am.

The protesters blamed the state for the incident and displayed various placards demanding the repeal of the Digital Security Act.

Socialist Students’ Front (Marxist) general secretary Nasir Uddin Prince, publicity and publications secretary Shovon Rahman, general secretary of DU unit Rajib Kanti Roy, among others, addressed the rally under the leadership of its president Al Qaderi Joy.

Nasiruddin Prince said that Mushtaq had written against the looting and corruption that had taken place in the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘Mushtaq applied for bail six times but did not get it,’ he added.

Later, they marched towards Shahbagh with a procession and blocked Shahbagh crossing for about an hour.

The protesters withdrew their blockade about 1:00pm and announced to seize the home ministry on March 5.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Sadharan Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, led by former Dhaka University Central Students' Union vice-president Nurul Haque, held a symbolic funeral prayer for Mushtaq and protest rally around 4:00pm nean Shahbagh.

Eminent citizens, including Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Zafrullah Chowdhury, attended the protest rally.