Thirteen coordinators and four co-coordinators from Jahangirnagar University have resigned, accusing the coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement of behaving like a government-backed group and being involved in actions against the spirit of a mass uprising.
This announcement was made during a press conference held this Thursday afternoon in the conference room of the university’s Student-Teacher Center (TSC).
The coordinators who resigned are Abdur Rashid, Rudra Muhammad Safiullah, Hasib Zaman, Zahidul Islam, Zahidul Islam (repeated), Fahmida Faiza, Rokaiya Jannat, Mishu Khatun, Rafid Hasan, Hasanur Rahman, Abdul Hai, Nasim Al Tariq, and Oindrila Majumder. Among them, Rashid also served as the central coordinator.
The co-coordinators who resigned are Zia Uddin, Tanzim Ahmed, Zahidul Islam, and Saidul Islam.
In a written statement, Abdur Rashid said, “The quota reform movement, which started under the banner of the anti-discrimination student movement, later transformed into an anti-fascist movement based on nine demands. Following that, an interim government was formed after the fall of fascism. However, the anti-discrimination student movement has remained largely silent on key demands, including banning party-affiliated student politics, ensuring justice for those involved in the July massacre, and compensating the injured and affected individuals. The movement is now functioning more like a government-affiliated student organization.”
Furthermore, he noted, “It has failed to include activists from all levels of Bangladesh under the same banner and to ensure representation from various universities. As a result, we believe that this banner now overshadows the history of participation from people of all professions, levels, and parties. Therefore, this banner should be dissolved as soon as possible.”
Abdur Rashid also said, “Due to the failure of certain coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement at Jahangirnagar University to elevate it to a national level, discriminatory behavior towards comrades, and the involvement of several coordinators in the death of former Chhatra League leader and terrorist Shamim Mollah, who died in police custody following a mob beating on September 18, we are resigning from the coordination council as the banner has failed to reach a united stance.”
He further added, “We believe that the second independence, achieved on August 5, belongs to people of all levels, professions, and beliefs. No one can claim sole credit for this movement. The new Bangladesh, achieved through the blood and sacrifice of over a thousand martyrs and the injured, is not for one group, but for everyone. We will continue to make every effort, from our respective positions, to uphold this second independence, a result of the hard work, sweat, and blood of the masses, and to preserve its spirit.”
