On November 10th 1987, political opponents came together for what they called a "Dhaka Siege" (Dhaka Blockade) to demand an end to the rule of President Hussain Muhammad Ershad based on violations of democracy. Although he had installed himself in power with
the 1982 coup d'état, he won the
May 1986 general election but opponents charged it as fraudulent. The
Awami League and
Bangladesh National Party united in opposition against Ershad's rule. Hossain is now associated in Bangladesh with the anti-autocracy and pro-democracy movement. At the time he was shot, his body carried several slogans in white paint. He wore the slogan "Down with autocracy"
(Shairachar nipat jak) on his chest, and on his back, he had written "Let Democracy Be Free"
(Ganatantra mukti pak). His death raised opposition sentiment directed against the Ershad government. Ershad was forced out of office on December 6, 1990 as a result of
the mass movement that grew from the Dhaka Siege. Ershad's
Jatiya Party became part of the Awami League coalition after its victory in the
June 1996 general election. Noor Hossain and the square remained significant for protesters after Hossain's death in 1987 and Ershad's removal in 1990. In 1993, the Awami League led protesters to the square on the occasion of the November 10 anniversary against the BNP government which also provoked a reaction from the police. In 1996, Ershad officially apologised for Hossain's death before parliament and also to Hossain's father. Ershad maintained his apology but also criticised the opposition for using him as a symbol against his government. In 2012, he said, "You (the opposition) came up with dead bodies as they were needed to spark demonstrations." His Jatiya Party does recognise November 10th but as "Democracy Day" (
Ganatantra Dibash). ==Accounts and reactions==