Discrimination allegations against the anti-discrimination student movement

After the Awami League government was ousted in a mass uprising by students and the public, a division emerged among the students who participated in the movement. It reached its peak only after the emergence of the anti-discrimination student movement organization and the rumors of the central coordinators forming a political party.

Student leaders who participated in the movement say that the purpose of forming a political party based on the movement is not good. Because they are claiming the movement as their property. This is an attempt to deprive people of all classes and professions who participated in the movement.

On July 15 last year, a committee was announced in Bogura, approved by Mahin Sarkar, one of the coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement. Among the coordinators of that 17-member committee were Niyati Sarkar Nitu and Sabbir Ahmed Raj. Among them, Nitu is the member secretary of the Bogura Government Azizul Haque College branch of the Student Front and the convener of the District Council Preparation Committee. Sabbir Ahmed Raj is the president of the Bogura district committee of the Chhatra Union.

Niyati Sarkar Nitu said: "We did not participate in the movement considering the quota reform movement as logical. Our goal was to eliminate social inequality. At one point, this movement paved the way for ousting the government. We were in the movement at the risk of our lives; but even after the Awami League government was ousted, the purpose of the movement was not fully served."

She also said: "We thought that the interim government would only emphasize reforming the electoral system. At the same time, it would hand over power to the people's government through quick elections. But in reality, a different picture is visible. They are sitting as the government. Even then, we will support the public welfare work of the interim government."

Nitu also said that the government did not fall only due to the students' movement. It was possible because people from all walks of life in the country participated in the movement. Now it seems that the anti-discrimination student movement organization is trying to claim success as their achievement.

Sabbir Ahmed Raj, president of the Bogura district branch of the Chhatra Union, said: "We only participated in the movement as students. We hoped that the anti-discrimination student movement would remain a non-political organization. That was what the central coordinators of the organization said; but later it was observed that even though the central coordinators said so, they started carrying out organizational activities secretly. Later we came out of the banner of the anti-discrimination movement. Currently, the participants in the movement have separated because of the central coordinators. However, they should have been standing by the people through non-political organizations.'

He also said: "Currently, the prices of daily necessities including rice have increased. This is forcing the general public to say that the Awami League government was good. If this continues, the public will have a different perception of us who participated in the movement which is harmful for the country."

Views Bangladesh has talked with at least 20 activists and people who participated in the anti-discrimination movement in this regard.

They all said that success comes because people from all classes and professions come together in the movement. Now, whoever tries to take credit alone will become isolated at some point.

Proprietor of Dhaka Ulka Refrigeration and also a businessman from Bogura city Shafiqul Islam said: "The movement has been successful in embracing students, workers, and the public. Now it is being heard that the central coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement are going to form a political party based on the movement. If that happens, then it will not be good for the country."

He also said: "If the students had worked for the public welfare instead of forming a political organization and stood by the elected government, it would have been good for the country. Now, there is a fear that some coordinators will distance ordinary students from regular studies."

President of the Bogura district unit of the Chhatra Union, Sabbir Ahmed Raj, said: "Various communal groups including Jamaat-Shibir are supporters of the anti-discrimination student movement organization. Although there have been attacks on Hill community people recently, the leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement have not been seen playing any role. However, they are joining the movement against progressives no matter how late it is. This has made their purpose clear to us."

Raj also claimed that the anti-discrimination student movement has deviated a lot from its goals and objectives.