Abdul Hannan Masud, the chief organizer of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, expressed his frustration on an NTV talk show, condemning recent remarks by BNP leader Mirza Abbas. He said, “We are deeply hurt by the comments of a BNP standing committee member. It pains us to say that due to your failure of leadership, young people like us had to take to the streets, risking our lives. It was only because you failed to lead the people to the streets that young people had to take on that role. Now, if you wonder where these ‘kids’ come from to make such statements, it hurts us.”
He added, “I, too, have shed my blood—not to bring anyone to power, but for the restructuring and reform of the state. I want to ask BNP, did the workers of your party who gave their lives do so merely to make someone from their constituency an MP? You talk about democracy being in danger, but we speak of changing the regime of those we ousted for threatening democracy. Yet, obstacles are being created. Repeated calls for immediate elections are hindering the reform process, though we never said there won’t be elections. But why such a rush when we are discussing every issue?”
Masud mentioned, “Sheikh Hasina came to power through elections in 2008, and what happened afterward? A constitutional crisis is being raised about removing ‘Chuppu.’ In 2014, it was said by Sheikh Hasina that if the January 5 election didn’t happen, there would be a constitutional crisis. I see BNP’s statements as following the same pattern, where Sheikh Hasina made excuses to stay in power, and now a constitutional crisis is being invoked to keep ‘Chuppu’ in office.”
He further stated, “If the current advisory council proceeds to elections without reforms, and if anyone obstructs it, I will be the first to prevent that obstruction. I fought on the streets for reforms, not out of a desire for power. The commissions we established will deliver reports on necessary reforms within three months. Based on these reports, the needed reforms will be identified, and a timeline for those reforms will be set. Among the major political parties, only BNP is calling for an early election.”
Masud continued, “No one has ever succeeded by going against the people. It’s up to BNP to determine what kind of reforms are needed. Let them make clear to the public what reforms are necessary for the election to prevent any risk of future fascist rule.”
Addressing BNP, he said, “You have organised many programmes, but you failed to gain the support of the people. We launched programmes without consulting you, and the people accepted them. Age is no barrier in politics. A 70-year-old can still learn, and a 15-year-old can become a mature political leader. We do not look down upon any generation; the 16-year-long struggle has culminated in the hands of students. Speaking dismissively of these students is inappropriate.”
Touching on the topic of constitutional amendments, he stated, “BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia once said, ‘This constitution made by Mujib should be discarded with distrust.’ If you call the post-uprising government not a people’s government like Sheikh Hasina, then you are questioning the legitimacy of the people’s uprising. In 2013, Begum Zia spoke of discarding this constitution. BNP’s stance on whether a new constitution will be created or not is needed.”
He remarked, “Sheikh Hasina has amended the constitution and changed its very nature. So why is there so much attachment to that constitution? When Chuppu became president, BNP leaders and activists themselves claimed that Chuppu was a criminal. Now, why is there so much sympathy for keeping him in power?”
Masud continued, “They say that removing Chuppu would create a constitutional crisis. But clarify to the people how such a crisis would arise. There is no need to speak in Sheikh Hasina’s language. Leaders of the people’s uprising are not being honoured, and I doubt whether I will be able to stay in the country if BNP comes to power in the future. Discussions on our proposals are necessary.”
He called upon BNP leaders, saying, “You are our elders; guide us. Advise us on forming the Second Republic. We have yet to receive any suggestions from you; you are only making statements in the media. Call for discussions on our proposals and discuss them. If the proposals cannot be implemented, explain why. We are still unable to break free from the trauma of Sheikh Hasina’s rule.”
He further mentioned, “Yesterday in Chandpur, a coordinator was beaten because he didn’t withdraw the case against Awami League leaders. The principal of Chandpur College was vocal against the fascist regime, and it was because of his resignation demand that BNP activists beat students. This internal conflict makes no sense.”
In his final remarks, he stated, “The proposals from the 1990 people’s uprising were never implemented. We do not want to fall into the same trap again.
Addressing a gathering in Dinajpur, Hasnat Abdullah, the Coordinator of the Ant-Discrminant Student Movement, said that since August 5, a generational conflict has emerged. In this conflict, it appears that those who are experienced, with long-standing political backgrounds, are looking down on the achievements of the younger generation.
For instance, just the other day, a prominent BNP politician, Mirza Abbas, was heard saying that if a son walks ahead of his father, the country is bound to be destroyed. With all due respect, we would like to ask him: when the father was deprived of his political rights for the past 16 years when he was not allowed to take to the streets, it was the sons who stood fearlessly in front of the bullets on August 5. When Wasim, Mugdha, and Abu Sayeed faced the bullets, the country was not destroyed; rather, the father’s honour was upheld. We want to make it clear that we do not wish to head towards a generational conflict. Those of you who are experienced politicians, we want to build the future of Bangladesh by combining your experience with the fearless spirit of the youth.
Addressing Mirza Abbas, he said that when the father becomes old, he has to walk with his hand on the shoulder of his young son. So, instead of mocking the son, you should take steps to strengthen his work so that he becomes resilient and make sure they never again have to face any fascist forces. This is your moral duty.
We have seen that BNP’s Chairperson, Begum Khaleda Zia, was deprived of her right to medical treatment for the past 16 years. But when Wasim, Mugdha, and Abu Sayeed took to the streets, standing tall in front of the bullets, the chief of your party was finally provided with medical care. Therefore, we humbly request you to stop trying to create a division between the elders and the younger generation.
