Anti-Discrimination Student Movement: 17 coordinators, co-coordinators of JU resign

Seventeen coordinators and co-coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at Jahangirnagar University have resigned, citing allegations of partisan behavior and actions contrary to the spirit of the mass uprising.

In a press conference held at the university's Teachers-Students Center (TSC) on Thursday afternoon, the coordinators announced their decision to step down. Among those who resigned were the central coordinator Abdur Rashid and other prominent figures like Rudra Muhammad Safiullah, Hasib Zaman, and Zahidul Islam.

In a written statement, Abdur Rashid stated that the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, which initially focused on quota reforms, later evolved into an anti-fascism movement based on a nine-point demand. Despite the formation of an interim government following the fall of the fascist regime, the movement has remained largely silent on crucial issues such as banning partisan student politics, bringing to justice those involved in the July killings, and providing compensation to the injured and victims.

Rashid expressed concern that the movement had become more like a ruling party's student organisation.

Furthermore, Rashid criticised the movement's failure to unite all levels of protesters under a single banner and represent various universities. He argued that the continued existence of the movement was undermining the historical participation of people from all professions, strata, and political affiliations.

The resigning coordinators also accused some of their colleagues of prioritising personal interests and failing to represent Jahangirnagar University on a national level. They pointed to the lynching and subsequent death of former BCL leader Shamim Mollah, where video footage implicated several coordinators.

Abdur Rashid emphasised that the second independence achieved on August 5 was a collective victory and not the accomplishment of any single group. He pledged to continue working to uphold the spirit of this new Bangladesh, which was born from the sacrifices of thousands.