[🇧🇩] Anti-Discrimination Student Movement

Date of Event: Oct 26, 2024

Source: https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/anti-discrimination-protesters-can-form-a-political-party-in-future-but-under-a-different-name-says-sarjis

Anti-discrimination protesters can form a political party in future, but under a different name, says Sarjis
bdnews24.com
Published :
Oct 25, 2024 17:05
Updated :
Oct 25, 2024 17:05

People involved in the Anti-discrimination Student Movement can form a political party in the future if they want to, but they should do so under a different name, says Sarjis Alam, one of the coordinators of the movement.

“People in the Anti-discrimination Student Movement have the democratic right to form a political party. However, it will create a divide among them if the party is formed at this time, right after the revolution,” he said.

“In future, a political party can be formed if they want to, but under a different name to the Anti-discrimination Student Movement,” he said at a meeting with students and the families of those killed and injured in the movement in Madaripur.

The coordinator warned everyone that many ‘fake coordinators’ had emerged in different districts of the country and urged them to remain alert.

“After Aug 5, many fake coordinators appeared like ‘chameleons.’ They were opportunistic then, remain that way, and will be like that in future as well,” Sarjis said.

”We need to identify them. Otherwise, they will tarnish our image using the identity of a coordinator.”

Sarjis said that ’16 years of oppression’ would not end in 16 months. The mass uprising has destroyed the nest of wrongdoings the Hasina government created, and now the opportunists were trying to create discord among the students, he said.

“Hence, we have to unite. Those students who took part in the movement should remain united. Otherwise, things will go wrong in the future.”

“We must remember that this has been built up for 16 years and only a few of their leaders have fled. It won’t take long for them to return,” Sarjis said.

He also said that any student thinking of becoming a ‘fascist’ in the future or trying to misuse power would be expelled and face legal action.​

 

[Saif]

A young adviser may resign to lead a new political party

Top leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Movement and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee said the new party will be a centrist party.

en.prothomalo.com

A young adviser may resign to lead a new political party
Staff Correspondent
Dhaka
Published: 03 Feb 2025, 20: 13

The Anti-Discrimination Movement and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee are going to unveil a new political party in mid-February and a young adviser may resign from the interim government to take the responsibility of the new party.

Top leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Movement and the Jatiya Nagarik Committee said the new party will be a centrist one . They have received several proposed names but have not yet finalised it. Discussion is underway to determine the party symbol.

Several sources of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee said any of three advisers representing the students in the interim government – Mahfuj Alam, Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain – will resign and lead the party and the remaining two will may also quit the government at their convenience. One of the latter two may resign in June and join the party, according the sources.

When asked, Jatiya Nagorik Committee member secretary Akhter Hossain told Prothom Alo on Sunday evening a formal announcement on the formation of their will come at the last half of February. The party will be a centrist party focusing national interests other than the right and left ideologies. They want to bring new faces who have no political affiliations but sided with the mass uprising.

Discussion is underway on the party’s name, launching date and venue, Akhter Hossain said adding, “We are trying to understand the public opinion. Names of student advisers from the interim government also came up in our discussion but this has yet not been finalised. Besides, if they resign how the representativeness of the student will remain in the government is also being discussed.”

A source of the Anti-Discrimination Movement said a brother of an adviser can hold an important post in the new political party. That individual is a member of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee.

A student-people mass uprising led by the student platform Anti-Discrimination Movement ousted the Awami League government on 5 August 2024 while the Jatiya Nagorik Committee was launched in last September aimed at strengthening the forces of mass uprising for the nation rebuilding. Jatiya Nagorik Committee gave the first committee on 8 November 2024. As of 1 February, they formed representative committees in 257 thanas and upazila and had mor than 34,000 representatives across the country.

The Anti-Discrimination Movement formed the first committee on 2 November. As of 1 February, they have convening committees in 30 districts, 5 cities, 8 thanas, 2 universities, three colleges and a polytechnic institutes. They have about 8,500 members.

However, the Jatiya Nagorik Committee will remain as a civil political platform and the Anti-Discrimination Movement will continues its activities even after the formation of the new political party by the students.​

 

[Saif]

Info adviser Nahid hints at leaving govt role to join new party

Information adviser Mohammad Nahid Islam has indicated that he may step down from his government position to join a new political party if he feels that working directly with people is more important than serving in the government.

www.newagebd.net

Info adviser Nahid hints at leaving govt role to join new party
United News of Bangladesh . Dhaka 15 February, 2025, 17:20

Information adviser Mohammad Nahid Islam. | File Photo

Information adviser Mohammad Nahid Islam has indicated that he may step down from his government position to join a new political party if he feels that working directly with people is more important than serving in the government.

‘There are discussions about forming a new political party. If someone wishes to join, it is not possible by retaining a government role,’ Nahid said in an interview with a television channel on Saturday.

He said that the new party is expected to be formed this month and if it happens, all will know it within a few days.

Nahid Islam, a coordinator of anti-Discrimination Student Movement and student of Dhaka University, took oath as an adviser to the interim government on August 9 after the fall of Hasina govt in a mass upsurge on August 5.

Nahid, who was a student of Dhaka University’s Sociology Department (2016-17 session), was picked along with another adviser, Asif Mahmud, during the first round of curfew slapped by the Hasina government to suppress the quota reform movement.

Later, Detective Branch members picked him along with some other coordinators while he was undergoing treatment at Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital in the capital.

Later, six coordinators of the movement including Nahid were forced to announce the withdrawal of the anti-discrimination student movement programme in a video message when they were under DB custody.

But after being released from there, they again announced the programme for a movement and at one stage placed a one-point demand seeking Hasina’s resignation.

The movement then turned into mass upsurge with the participation of people from all walks of life, forcing Hasina to resign and flee the country.

Nahid Islam was a leader of a student organisation called Ganatantrik Chhatra Shakti. Nahid was the member secretary of the central committee of the organisation.​

 

[Saif]

‘Some cops, judges patronising killers’

National Citizens' Committee chief organiser Sarjis Alam yesterday alleged that certain police officers and judges are patronising criminals in exchange for benefits.

www.thedailystar.net

‘Some cops, judges patronising killers’
Alleges Sarjis

National Citizens' Committee chief organiser Sarjis Alam yesterday alleged that certain police officers and judges are patronising criminals in exchange for benefits.

Speaking at a discussion titled "Your Vision of a New Bangladesh" in Sonargaon yesterday, he claimed that numerous allegations have surfaced regarding political groups that once opposed fascism but are now protecting these individuals in return for money and power.

He said some police officers and judges continue to provide cover for these criminals in exchange for various favours.

Addressing the upcoming elections, he said it must be the most transparent election in Bangladesh's history. He said if one party were to win all 300 seats while others secured none, they would accept it, provided the election upheld the spirit of the revolution.

However, he warned that if any force attempted to manipulate votes or influence polling centres, those places would become the grounds for another uprising.

Sarjis said their new political party would be inclusive of people from all backgrounds, regardless of religion, ideology, age, or class.

He said Nahid Islam, a key figure in the movement, had been asked to step out of power and take on a crucial role for the people.

He alleged that certain groups, especially in the media, were attempting to create division by spreading misleading information about leadership appointments.

Accusing the former prime minister, he alleged that "Killer Hasina" fled the country out of fear but continues to incite unrest from abroad along with her beneficiaries.

Sarjis urged the people to carefully assess their leaders, asking them to recognise who stood by them during difficult times and who remained absent, only to return now claiming to support them.

He said many so-called leaders had been missing for the past 16 years but were now resurfacing to seek leadership, and he cautioned that these figures would abandon the people again when the time came.

Criticising ongoing corruption, he claimed that extortion and syndicates still exist and that land grabbing in Sonargaon has worsened.

He called for unity in order to bring about real change. He also advised people against blindly following any leader, urging them instead to engage in logical criticism.​

 

[Saif]

July uprising party: Discord brewing over member secretary post

With Adviser Nahid Islam almost certain to be the convener of the new political party being floated by the July uprising activists, differences of opinion have emerged among the leaders over the member secretary post, the second-highest role in the party hierarchy.

www.thedailystar.net

July uprising party: Discord brewing over member secretary post
Nahid, all set to be convener, may quit govt in a few days

With Adviser Nahid Islam almost certain to be the convener of the new political party being floated by the July uprising activists, differences of opinion have emerged among the leaders over the member secretary post, the second-highest role in the party hierarchy.

So far, Jatiya Nagorik Committee Convener Nasiruddin Patwary, Member Secretary Akhter Hossen, Joint Convener Ali Ahsan Zonaed and Chief Organiser Sarjis Alam, and Students Against Discrimination Convener Hasnat Abdullah are leading the race for the new party's member secretary post.

Nahid, information and ICT adviser, may quit the government within four to five days, said sources close to him.

Meanwhile, Jatiya Nagorik Committee, the citizens' platform launched after the uprising, is now split into three groups over the top posts of the new political party's convening committee, said insiders.

One consists of leaders of Students Against Discrimination, who had been previously involved with Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti and Chhatra Odhikar Parishad.

Those previously affiliated with leftist politics form the second faction and the third comprises former members of Islami Chhatra Shibir, at least three leaders of the civic platform told this newspaper, requesting to be anonymous.

The first faction within the Nagorik Committee is supporting Akhter, while Adviser Mahfuj Alam, who plays a key role in the policymaking of the Nagorik Committee, wants Nasiruddin to be the new party's member secretary, the sources said.

Akhter is facing opposition from the faction belonging to former Chhatra Shakti leaders as he had a "personal rivalry" with Mahfuj since the inception of Chhatra Shakti, the sources added.

On the other hand, the former Shibir activists are trying to bring Zonaed, former president of Shibir's Dhaka University unit and member of Jatiya Nagorik Committee's executive body, into the second-in-command position of the new party.

The leftist faction wants Anik Roy, former general secretary of Chhatra Union's central committee, in a key position.

"As the new political party aims to be inclusive, people with diverse opinions are part of it. Shibir wants its former leaders to take leadership roles. While the leftists initially wanted Akhter as a leader due to his long history of doing politics, they no longer support him," a member of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee told this newspaper.

The civic platform has held a series of meetings in the last few weeks over the issue, but could not reach a conclusion as of now.

Sources said the Shibir-led faction demanded Zonaed as the member secretary of the new political party and at least four posts out of the top 10 posts.

They even threatened to quit Jatiya Nagorik Committee and form another organisation if their demands were not met.

As they did not get a "positive signal" from other key policymakers, the faction boycotted a meeting of the platform's central executive body at its office yesterday afternoon, the sources said.

Some student leaders were seen taking to social media on the issue.

"I joined the anti-fascist politics through Akhter Hossen. His love for the country and its people has always inspired us. On the Dhaka University campus, he has always stood up against the terror of Chhatra League without any hesitation. As a conscious citizen, I stand by Akhter Hossen. Don't conspire against anyone," Abdul Hannan Masud, the chief organiser of Students Against Discrimination, wrote on Facebook.

Mirza Galib, former president of DU Chhatra Shibir, wrote on Facebook, "The Nagorik Committee should have worked to create a unified political platform involving all the youth associated with the uprising … There should be proper participation of madrasa students and Shibir members … But unfortunately, it seems that the Nagorik Committee is failing to create a democratic and inclusive environment."

The Daily Star tried to reach Nasiruddin, Akhter, Zonaed and Sarjis several times, but they did not respond to phone calls and texts.​

 

[Saif]

We’re giving importance to people, not power: Sarjis Alam

Sarjis maintained, “You have high hopes. If we can’t fulfill those hopes, at the end of the day, there will be no difference between us and the past. There has been an uprising at the participation of student-people with the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at the helm. Killer Hasina has...

en.prothomalo.com

We’re giving importance to people, not power: Sarjis Alam
Correspondent
Narayanganj
Published: 16 Feb 2025, 22: 41

Jatiya Nagorik Committee chief organiser Sarjis Alam addresses the meeting at Royal Resort in Sonargaon upazila of Narayanganj on 16 February 2025 Prothom Alo

The student-people do not aspire for power. If they were power-oriented and had taken a decision to form a government on 5 August (2024), no political party of Bangladesh had the audacity to speak against the step.

Jatiya Nagorik Committee chief organiser Sarjis Alam made the remarks while addressing a meeting to exchange views at a programme titled, New Bangladesh in Your Eyes, at Royal Resort in Sonargaon upazila of Narayanganj Sunday afternoon.

He further said they spoke with the top leadership of all the political parties immediately after their victory was ensured on 5 August.

This one of the top leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement of that time informed the discussion that the advisors of the incumbent interim government were chosen based on opinions of all the stakeholders of the anti-fascist uprising. “Even today we are giving importance to the people, not power.”

Sarjis maintained, “You have high hopes. If we can’t fulfill those hopes, at the end of the day, there will be no difference between us and the past. There has been an uprising at the participation of student-people with the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at the helm. Killer Hasina has left the country in fear. But this killer Hasina and some of her beneficiaries have been instigating from abroad.”

“Many have been doing politics under banners of different political platforms. The time has come for you to know your leaders; whom you have got by you in the hard times and who had capitalised benefits hiding abroad at different times. There were many leaders of different political parties in the last 16 years whom you did not find. But now they have been giving their blessings to you in different forms in this new Bangladesh. They will flee again on time,” Sarjis said.

The Jatiya Nagorik Committee chief organiser also insisted on unity to stop toll collection, syndicate in business and illegal occupancy.

He also spoke about receiving information that a few political parties, who were in the anti-fascist movement, have been providing shelter to the killers in exchange of money and other benefits.

Sarjis also talked about getting information that some of the police officials and judges have been entertaining the former killers.

He urged all not to follow anyone blindly, rather criticise everyone rationally.

Remarking that the coming election must be the best and most transparent elections in the history of Bangladesh, the Jatiya Nagorik Committee leader said, “We will have no objections even if any party wins in all 300 constituencies and no one else gets even one seat. But there should be an election keeping the aspirations of the mass uprising ahead.”

He also warned that the polling centre where any power or quarter tries to exert its influence would turn into the centre of another mass uprising.

Sarjis insisted that the post-uprising new political party will be open to people of all age, religion, opinion, and class.

“Our most important task at this moment is to form a new party. We have asked our fellow fighter in the mass uprising, Nahid Islam, to take an important responsibility abdicating power. But let me clear one thing, there are many quarters in different sectors, including the media, who have been spreading information giving certain party posts to certain people to break our unity. There could be dissents among us; but there will be no division among us regarding the party and the country. No post will determine the march of our future Bangladesh,” he stressed.

Sonargaon upazila units of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement jointly organised the meeting.​