The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has declared its refusal to support any government other than one proposed or endorsed by the uprising students and citizens. They have explicitly stated that a military-backed government or one established under a state of emergency by the president will not be accepted by the revolutionary student populace.
In a press conference held at a private television office in Tejgaon, Dhaka, on Monday night, Nahid Islam, the coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, made these announcements. Other coordinators present included Sarjis Alam, Hasnat Abdullah, Asif Mahmud, and Abu Bakar Majumdar.
The press conference revealed that within 24 hours, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement would provide a framework for an interim national government. Until then, they urged the student populace to maintain peaceful positions on the streets.
Nahid Islam stated, “We are united irrespective of party, ideology, or religion. If there is any attempt at communal provocation, sabotage, or division, the freedom-seeking students and citizens must thwart it. We must remain vigilant and protect the nation’s assets.”
He continued, “The fall of the fascist Sheikh Hasina through the student-citizen uprising is dedicated to the martyrs, injured, and freedom-seeking student populace of our movement. Our sole demand was the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian government and the abolition of the fascist regime. We believe that merely removing an individual does not solve the problem; rather, we must dismantle the state structure that allows such fascism to arise. From this standpoint, the fall of Sheikh Hasina is the first step of our movement, which we have achieved. Now, we must move to the second step.”
Nahid Islam announced that within 24 hours, they would propose an interim national government, stating, “This government will be proposed by the uprising students and citizens. It will include representatives from the uprising student-citizens, civil society, professionals, and various stakeholders. We will announce the outline of this interim national government and the names of its members through discussions.”
He also mentioned that they would soon form a liaison committee to facilitate discussions with various parties.
Nahid emphasized, “We will not support any government other than one supported or proposed by the uprising students and citizens. This includes a military-supported government or one established under a state of emergency by the president, which the revolutionary student populace will not accept. We urge the freedom-seeking student populace to remain on the streets until we announce the final outline of the national government. We must be vigilant as the allies of fascism may attempt various forms of sabotage and violence to question the legitimacy of our movement.”
He further appealed to the student populace, “This country and its national assets are ours; do not engage in any looting, communal attacks, or provocations. The freedom-seeking students and citizens must protect the nation’s assets. We do not want any loss of life or violence. We will remain peacefully on the streets. The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement will be in the field to ensure the safety of everyone. We are a protesting populace against the fascist regime and the murderous government. We are united irrespective of party, ideology, or religion. If there is any attempt at communal provocation, sabotage, or division, the freedom-seeking students and citizens must thwart it.”
Nahid declared those who were martyred in the movement as national heroes. He said, “Across the country, our coordinators, activists, and innocent people have been arrested. We declare the release of all political prisoners within the next 24 hours. We have stated that Sheikh Hasina’s resignation alone will not suffice. We must ensure justice for the massacres, disappearances, murders, human rights violations, and deprivation of voting rights she and her government are involved in. Sheikh Hasina fleeing is not enough; we will bring her to justice. Those who have directly supported fascism and their supporters will also be brought to justice. Following a process, we will establish justice in society.”
