[🇧🇩] Anti-Discrimination Student Movement

[Saif]

Nahid hints at resigning by end of this week to join new party

Information Adviser Nahid Islam today said he will take the decision regarding his resignation and joining a new political party by the end of this week

www.thedailystar.net

Nahid hints at resigning by end of this week to join new party

Nahid Islam

Information Adviser Nahid Islam today said he will take the decision regarding his resignation and joining a new political party by the end of this week.

The information adviser said this while talking to reporters after the Deputy Commissioners' Conference at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.​

 

[Saif]

Adviser Nahid dismisses resignation rumours

Rumours have been circulating that Information and Broadcasting Advisor Nahid Islam has resigned, but he has dismissed the claims. On Sunday evening, bdnews24.com contacted the Chief Advisor’s Office regarding the matter. An official from the press office said, "I asked Advisor Nahid about

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Adviser Nahid dismisses resignation rumours
bdnews24.com
Published :
Feb 23, 2025 21:00
Updated :
Feb 23, 2025 21:00

Rumours have been circulating that Information and Broadcasting Advisor Nahid Islam has resigned, but he has dismissed the claims.

On Sunday evening, bdnews24.com contacted the Chief Advisor’s Office regarding the matter.

An official from the press office said, "I asked Advisor Nahid about this. He said, 'no, I have not resigned’."​

 

[Saif]

July activists to launch party on Feb 28: Sarjis

Formal launch on Friday at Manik Mia

www.thedailystar.net

July activists to launch party on Feb 28: Sarjis
Formal launch on Friday at Manik Mia

Screengrab

The new political party of the July uprising activists is going to be launched on February 28, chief organiser of Jatiya Nagorik Committee, Sarjis Alam, said today.

The announcement will be made at 3:00pm at a rally in Manik Mia Avenue, he said.

Sarjis made the announcement at a press briefing held at Nagorik Committee's office in Dhaka's Bangla Motor this evening.​

 

[Saif]

Dispute in Nagorik Committee over members’ China visit

A dispute has emerged within the Jatiya Nagorik Committee over the inclusion of some members in a delegation of 22 political leaders from eight parties, including the BNP, who travelled to China on Monday at the invitation of the Communist Party of China

www.thedailystar.net

Dispute in Nagorik Committee over members’ China visit

A dispute has emerged within the Jatiya Nagorik Committee over the inclusion of some members in a delegation of 22 political leaders from eight parties, including the BNP, who travelled to China on Monday at the invitation of the Communist Party of China.

In a press release issued at midnight, the committee stated it was unaware of the visit and had received no formal invitation. It clarified that no official representative was part of the delegation or authorized to act on its behalf.

"If any individual joins the delegation or claims to represent the Jatiya Nagorik Committee without approval, their actions are personal and not linked to the committee," the release stated.

Among the delegates are Ali Ahsan Zonaed and Rafe Salman Rifat, both former leaders of Islami Chhatra Shibir's Dhaka University unit. Zonaed is reportedly being considered for a senior role in a new political party launching Friday at Manik Mia Avenue.

Internal tensions have risen within the committee over leadership appointments in the new party. Some oppose giving key positions to former Shibir leaders, fearing it would reinforce the Awami League's claim that the July uprising was backed by Jamaat-Shibir. Others support a more inclusive approach.

As a compromise, the committee recently introduced two new senior positions—senior joint convener and senior joint member secretary—alongside the existing four key posts of convener, member secretary, spokesperson, and chief organiser.

Zonaed was reportedly being considered for the senior joint convener role, while discussions were ongoing about a position for Rifat. However, their unapproved China visit has raised fresh concerns within the committee.

Following the press release, several leaders expressed unease over Zonaed and Rifat's action. Some suggested this could impact Zonaed's potential leadership role in the new party.

The Nagorik Committee has urged all parties to avoid confusion and requested verification of any representation claims before acknowledgment or action.

However, around 12:28am, Zonaed in a Facebook post said, "The new political party, set to launch on February 28 under the leadership of young individuals, will not include me. I informed the party leaders about my decision more than a week ago. In the interest of greater unity and to keep the nation's focus on the new party, I chose to remain silent. However, the speculations have not stopped, so I want to make my position clear."

"Look, for Bangladesh's future, a political party led by those who spearheaded the uprising is necessary for the country's best interests. I extend my prayers and best wishes to this new political party. May it always remain committed to honesty and justice, as per the people's aspirations. May it establish a new political culture that eliminates all avenues for corruption," he said in the status.

"Although my repeated calls went unheeded, I still hope that democratic processes and inclusiveness will define this party. Even after facing unfortunate realities, I sincerely wish that this party will break free from the politics of tagging and taboos, ushering in a new era of politics, he said.

Zonaed further said, "I also hope that the sense of brotherhood, love, and cooperation we shared during the uprising will continue in this new political journey, with mutual respect remaining unchanged. Best wishes to the new party, Nahid Islam, and the emerging leadership."​

 

[Saif]

Manifesto, programmes of students’ party not finalised

The manifesto and the programmes of the new political party of the students who led the July-August mass uprising are yet to be finalised though the party is going to be floated on February 28.

www.newagebd.net

Manifesto, programmes of students’ party not finalised
Moinul Haque 25 February, 2025, 23:58

File Photo

The manifesto and the programmes of the new political party of the students who led the July-August mass uprising are yet to be finalised though the party is going to be floated on February 28.

The Students Against Discrimination that led the mass uprising and the Jatiya Nagarik Committee, formed by the youths that led the uprising, on Monday announced the date of flouting their new party.

Meanwhile, putting an end to speculation over the leadership of the new party, the interim government’s information adviser and Dhaka University student Mohammad Nahid Islam, one of the key student coordinators of the July uprising, resigned from the government’s advisory council on Tuesday to take the helm of the new party.

The party will begin its journey with a 151-member convening committee, and a significant number of members would be included from outside the Students Against Discrimination and the Jatiya Nagarik Committee, they said.

The organisers of the JNC said that they would launch their party at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka by reading out its declaration.

The party’s manifesto and programmes would be published in phases, they said.

They said that the declaration would highlight Bengal’s thousand-year history, emphasising its tradition of coexistence across religious and social lines.

It would reflect on key movements and struggles, including the Partition of 1947, the Language Movement of 1952, the Liberation War of 1971, the mass uprising of 1990, and the student-led movement of 2024, they said.

The declaration would also define the party’s ideological foundation, with the rich cultural heritage of the Bengal Basin as a core principle.

The new party would be announced to fulfill the aspirations of the 2024 mass uprising, drawing from past movements and struggles where such aspirations remained unrealised, the organisers said.

Jatiya Nagarik Committee spokesperson Samantha Sharmin on Tuesday said that the outline of the convening committee for the new party was yet to be finalised, but it could consist of 151 members.

She said that it would take time to finalise the manifesto and programmes.

‘Initially, we will announce the main party on February 28 without any associated fronts. The fronts, including the student wing, labour wing, and youth wing, will be announced later,’ she said.

One of the new party organisers confirmed that Nahid Islam would be the convener and that he had resigned from the government to lead the new party.

Following his resignation as an adviser to the interim government, Nahid told reporters that he, in an informal meeting of the advisory council at 1:00 pm, had discussed a personal issue and submitted his resignation letter to the chief adviser.

‘I intend to join the new political party to work on the ground with the people to unite them once again and fulfill the promises of the mass uprising. This is why I am resigning,’ he said.

In response to a question about the top positions in the new political party, Nahid urged journalists to wait until the announcement on February 28.

One of the organisers of the Jatiya Nagarik Committee said that JNC member secretary Akhtar Hossain would be the member secretary of the party and the name of the party would be finalised by Thursday.

He said that JNC chief organiser Sarjis Alam and the Student Against Discrimination convener Hasnat Abdullah would hold the posts of organisers while the JNC convener Nasiruddin Patwary would hold the post of chief coordinator.

Youth leaders who played a key role in the student-led uprising that toppled the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government launched their political platform Jatiya Nagarik Committee at the Central Shaheed Minar on September 8, 2024.

The committee aimed to dismantle the fascist system and pursue a new political settlement for Bangladesh.

Following up on the momentum of the July-August uprising, the leaders of Students Against Discrimination unveiled the committee›s expansion plans in October 2024, focusing on district, upazila, and educational institution levels nationwide.

In January 2025, leaders of the two platforms announced plans to launch a new centrist political party in Bangladesh by February.​

 

[Saif]

Nahid discloses wealth information amid speculations

He made this declaration last night on his verified Facebook page.

www.thedailystar.net

Nahid discloses wealth information amid speculations

File photo of Nahid Islam/Facebook

Former adviser to the interim government, Nahid Islam, yesterday disclosed his wealth information, stating that neither he nor any of his family members had purchased any property anywhere in the country during his tenure.

He made this declaration last night on his verified Facebook page.

His statement comes a day after he submitted his resignation letter to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guesthouse Jamuna. Nahid Islam reportedly stepped down to join a new political party.

During his tenure, he oversaw the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology.

In his Facebook post, Nahid Islam clarified his financial status.

"Before assuming the post of adviser, I did not have any bank account. On August 21, I opened a government-approved account with Sonali Bank to receive my honorarium for serving as an adviser. I am presenting the transaction details of this account to the public, covering the period from August 21, 2024, to February 26, 2025. A total of Tk 10,06,886 was deposited, while Tk 9,96,188 was withdrawn. Notably, I do not have any other bank account apart from this one with Sonali Bank."

He said that neither he nor his immediate family -- his wife, mother, or father -- had acquired any property during his tenure.

Nahid also disclosed that his private secretary holds Tk 36,028 in an Islami Bank account.

Furthermore, he stated that records of assets belonging to his personal officer and other relevant individuals are available and can be disclosed if needed.

To support his claims, he attached his Sonali Bank account statement to the Facebook post, asserting that all information is verifiable at any government office in Bangladesh under the Right to Information Act.​

 

[Saif]

Tarique, Fakhrul invited to Jatiya Nagorik Party launch event

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir have been invited to the official launch event of the Jatiya Nagorik Party (National Citizens' Party), scheduled for today

www.thedailystar.net

Tarique, Fakhrul invited to Jatiya Nagorik Party launch event

Photo: BNP

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir have been invited to the official launch event of the Jatiya Nagorik Party (National Citizens' Party), scheduled for today.

Shayrul Kabir Khan, a member of the BNP Media Cell, confirmed the invitation to The Daily Star last night. He said five other BNP leaders have also been invited.

Three student leaders visited the LD Hall premises of the National Parliament building and handed over the invitation letter to BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi BNP leaders at 8:30pm.

Student leaders Nusrat Tabassum and Abdul Hannan Masud were present during the invitation handover.​

 

[Saif]

Scuffle mars launch of new student org

A new student organisation named Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad was launched yesterday amid protests by private university students for exclusion despite their role in the July uprising.

www.thedailystar.net

Scuffle mars launch of new student org
Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad committee announced; private univ students protest exclusion

A ruckus over the launch of Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad, led by several leaders of the Students Against Discrimination, at Dhaka University’s Madhur Canteen yesterday. Private university students alleged that they have been sidelined in the new organisation and are seen trying to stop the press conference. Photo: Palash Khan

A new student organisation named Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad was launched yesterday amid protests by private university students for exclusion despite their role in the July uprising.

Launched at Madhur Canteen of Dhaka University, this organisation, led by former leaders of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD), said it would operate independently based on its own agendas and would refrain from partisan politics.

In a latenight development, private university students, who have long been alleging their exclusion from all post-August 5 platforms and committees, blocked Bangla Motor for an hour till 10:45pm to protest "attacks" on them earlier in the day by supporters of the newly formed organisation.

Demanding immediate dissolution of the committee, they said they would hold demonstrations across private universities today. If their demand is not met, they would go for a "Dhaka Blockade" programme on February 28, the day a new political party is to be launched by members of SAD and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee.

For now, the Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad will be led by a six-member central committee. There will also be a six-member DU unit.

The launch of the committee was slated for 3:00pm, but private university students showed up at the venue an hour later to protest their exclusion, stating they had been sidelined despite their significant role in the July uprising.

Around 5:15pm, when former SAD coordinator Abu Baker Majumder, now convener of the Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad, was announcing the new student body's name and leadership, the private university students surrounded him before he could finish, and a scuffle broke out.

The demonstrators demanded the inclusion of Rifat Rashid, a DU student who was a July Movement coordinator, in the committee. He, however, was already included in the leadership but not in the position he desired.

It is not yet known why private university students fought for a DU student's position while protesting for their own recognition.

Members of the new student body then brought out a procession from Madhur Canteen, but a clash ensued as they reached the Lecture Theatre building. Several private university students were injured.

Some were severely beaten up by members of the new group at Hakim Chattar at around 6:00pm. At least two students had to be taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Tariqul Islam, a student of the University of Information Technology and Sciences, said, "We also played an important role in the uprising alongside public university students. We're protesting here to ensure we are not excluded from the new student organisation."

Abu Baker said, "The organisation will work to fulfil students' expectations based on the spirit of the July uprising. Protests before the committee's announcement seemed driven by other agendas, but discussions will be held to address legitimate concerns."

Chhatra Sangsad

"Education, Unity, Liberation" is the motto of the new student organisation.

The central committee will be as follows: Abu Baker Majumder, convener; Tawhid Mohammad Siam, senior joint convener; Zahid Ahsan, member secretary; Rifat Rashid, senior joint member secretary; Tahmid Al Muddassir Chowdhury, chief organiser; and Ashrefa Khatun spokesperson.

The DU unit will have Abdul Kader as convener; Limon Mahmud Hasan as senior joint convener; Mohir Alam as member secretary; Al Amin Sarker as senior joint member secretary; Hasib Al Islam as chief organiser; and Rafia Rehnuma Hridi as spokesperson.

Abu Baker was also a member secretary of DU's now dissolved Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti, led by Akhter Hossen and Nahid Islam.

Notably, Hasib, a key coordinator of SAD, was served a show-cause notice for publicly stating that the July uprising would not have been possible without arson and police killings.

On the other hand, Al Amin Sarker, who also played an active role in the uprising, was a former leader of the now banned Chhatra League.

In 2022, it was reported that he was the deputy secretary for scholarships at DU's Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall Chhatra League. However, he resigned from the post during the uprising.​

 

[Saif]

New party of youth 'National Citizens Party', top 5 posts finalised

Nahid Islam has been finalised as the convenor of the youth-led political party, while Akhtar Hossain has been confirmed as the member secretary.

en.prothomalo.com

New party of youth 'National Citizens Party', top 5 posts finalised
Staff Correspondent
Dhaka
Updated: 27 Feb 2025, 18: 11

Nahid Islam, Akhtar Hossain, Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam (clockwise from top)Collage

The new political party, National Citizens Party, under the initiative of the Jatiyo Nagorik Committee and the Anti-Discrimination Student movement is set to be launched tomorrow, Friday.

Nahid Islam has been finalised as the convenor of the youth-led political party, while Akhtar Hossain has been confirmed as the member secretary.

Additionally, Hasnat Abdullah has been made chief organiser for the southern region, Sarjis Alam the chief organiser for the northern region and Nasiruddin Patwari the chief coordinator.

A joint meeting of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee and Anti-Discrimination Student Movement was held at the central office of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee at Banglamotor in the capital from noon to the afternoon on Thursday.

These decisions were made during the meeting. Four responsible leaders from the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, who participated in the meeting, confirmed the party name and the positions where leadership has been finalized.

Meeting sources revealed that due to multiple candidates for the positions of senior joint convener and senior joint secretary, leadership for these positions has not yet been finalised.

Tomorrow afternoon, the new party will be formally launched at an event at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital, where the names of the individuals nominated for top positions will be announced.​

 

[Saif]

Anti-Discrimination Student Movement suspends all committees except central body

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has announced the suspension of all its sub-committees across the country, retaining only the central body.

en.prothomalo.com

Anti-Discrimination Student Movement suspends all committees except central body
UNB Dhaka
Published: 27 Jul 2025, 19: 40

Anti-Discrimination Student Movement president Rifat Rashid briefs the media in Dhaka on 27 July 2025.Collected

In a decisive move aimed at restructuring its operations, Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has announced the suspension of all its sub-committees across the country, retaining only the central body.

Anti-Discrimination Student Movement made the announcement on its official Facebook page on Sunday evening.

The announcement follows the recent expulsion of Ibrahim Hossain Munna, convener of SAD's Dhaka city unit, along with members Sakadoun Siam and Sadman Sadab, citing their involvement in activities deemed detrimental to the party’s principles.​