Dhaka, July 28, 2024 — Six coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement have announced the withdrawal of all programs from the custody of the Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Branch (DB). The coordinators, Md. Nahid Islam, Md. Sarzis Alam, Hasnat Abdullah, Md. Abu Bakar Mojumdar, Asif Mahmud, and Nusrat Tabassum, made this announcement late Sunday night.
After discussions with the DB, Nahid Islam, one of the movement’s coordinators, made the formal announcement from the DB office, with the other five coordinators by his side.
In a video message, Nahid Islam stated, “Many have been unexpectedly injured and killed in the context of the Quota Reform Movement and the ensuing situation. Additionally, various violent incidents, including arson attacks on state facilities, have occurred. We strongly condemn these incidents and demand a swift trial following a proper investigation.”
He added, “Our main demand was the rational reform of the quota system, which the government has already fulfilled. Now, to ensure a proper educational environment, we strongly urge the government to reopen educational institutions quickly. From this moment, we are withdrawing our program.”
The announcement comes after significant turmoil and unrest linked to the Quota Reform Movement, which has seen numerous protests and violent incidents. The coordinators’ decision to withdraw all programs marks a significant step toward restoring normalcy in the educational sector.
