Protest deaths: Cabinet declares countrywide mourning tomorrow

The cabinet has declared that the nation will observe a day of mourning tomorrow (30 July) for those who have lost their lives during the quota reform protests.

At the cabinet meeting yesterday, chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Kamal presented a report on the overall condition of the country amid the quota reform protests, stating that 150 people have died so far.

Later, in a circular, the Cabinet Division said, "Black badge will have to be worn as part of the mourning."

There will be special prayer for the departed souls at all mosques and places of worship including temples, churches and pagodas, it said.

Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain told reporters following the meeting, that the decision to observe a nationwide day of mourning was taken considering the deaths and injuries during the ongoing quota reform protests.

The cabinet secretary said other ministers also provided additional details of on the situation surrounding the quota reform movement to the cabinet committee at the cabinet meeting. After reviewing the information, the cabinet made two decisions.

"One is that the cabinet has adopted a condolence motion for those who have died in this incident, those who have died in the conflict over the quota movement. That proposal has been formally adopted. The second decision is that a day of national mourning will be observed on Tuesday. As part of that mourning, black badges will be worn," Mahbub Hossain said.

He also said devotees in mosques, temples, pagodas and churches have been asked to pray for the departed souls and for those who have been injured.

However, the cabinet secretary did not say anything about whether the national flag would be flown at half-mast during the mourning period. He also did not disclose what other information was presented in the home minister's report and what other ministers had said.